EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/P02680X/1
Title: Revealing flow patterns in fusion welding with stereo X-ray imaging.
Principal Investigator: Mirihanage, Dr W
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Diamond Light Source
Department: Materials
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: First Grant - Revised 2009
Starts: 01 September 2017 Ends: 31 December 2018 Value (£): 100,547
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
12 Apr 2017 Engineering Prioritisation Panel Meeting 12 April 2017 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Fusion welding is one of the most widely used and prominent joining methods for metallic alloys. It is well accepted that flow within the weld pool significantly influences weld region shape, microstructure, defect and resulting residual stress formation during solidification. However, there are no reliable experimental data on flow within metallic alloy weld pools and scientific understanding is reliant on simplified models and simulations that lack proper validation. Hence, the objective of this proposal is to acquire 3D visualisation in real time (i.e. 4D) quantification of the liquid metal flow to analyse evolving flow in weld pools. The results will guide, validate and qualify weld pool modelling and the scientific understanding will enable improvements in the weld processes.

A unique and novel experimental configuration is proposed to realise time-resolved stereo X-ray imaging for in situ weld simulation experiments at the Diamond Light Source, UK. An experimental configuration, with two mutually inclined X-ray beams, which are obtained through splitting the regular synchrotron beam using X-ray optics, will be instrumental in realising the stereo imaging capability. Small, high X-ray attenuating particles embedded in the weld materials (in weld pool) will serve as markers to track the evolving fluid flow patterns. Combining the two sets of time-resolved images recorded in this stereo configuration, via bespoke image processing and analysing procedures will render 4D visualisation and spatio-temporal quantification of flow, enabling analysis of flow in evolving weld pools.

Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk