Partners:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
GKN Sinter Metals
Dr. Paul Bishop (Lead), Dalhousie University
Dr. Mathieu Brochu, McGill University
Abstract - Aluminum is an attractive option for additive manufacturing (AM) because of its low inherent density, high strength to weight ratio, its corrosion resistance. It is also a high value commodity in Canada and developing new aluminum-based alloys for AM is a direction that will positively impact national economic growth. Hence, the core objective of this subproject is to develop innovative aluminum alloys for AM with an emphasis on those that are likely to exhibit enhanced thermal stability. The underlying research is focussed on alloys with chemistries devoid of elements prone to volatilization during laser processing, (i.e. Zn, Mg, etc.) and low melting point eutectics, with consideration of solidification conditions and the strengthening mechanism(s) targeted.
Partners:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
GKN Sinter Metals
Dr. Paul Bishop (Lead), Dalhousie University
Dr. Mathieu Brochu, McGill University
Abstract - Titanium and its alloys represent a material category of major importance to the global aerospace sector, as it is a lightweight metal with significantly greater strength than most aluminum alloys. The objective of this subproject is to design and process innovative Ti alloy powders specifically for use within laser powder bed and directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technologies. Here, new Ti-based powder systems are being be designed to:
1) impart attractive metallurgical attributes (i.e. mechanical properties, microstructure, corrosion resistance, etc.) within the finished products,
2) facilitate the manufacture of products that are dimensionally accurate, sound, and cost-effective.
Partners:
Canadian Foundation for Innovation
GKN Sinter Metals
Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani (Lead) University of Waterloo
Dr. Paul Bishop, Dalhousie University
Dr. Mathieu Brochu, McGill University
Dr. Steve Cockroft, University of British Columbia
Abstract - Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, refers to a class of manufacturing technologies that incrementally build objects layer-by-layer in a wide range of materials directly from digitized geometry. AM technologies will change the entire manufacturing enterprise by 2030. Current estimates suggest that by 2025, the global economic impact of AM will reach $550B per year. Intelligent AM will play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of manufacturing known as "Industry 4.0". Canada has been an early pioneer in the development of AM and continues to be at the forefront of AM innovation albeit with an uncoordinated approach. The Canadian Additive Manufacturing Network (Can-AMN) brings together 10 universities, including: Waterloo, McGill, British Columbia, Dalhousie, Toronto, École Polytechnique, École Technologies Supérieures, Manitoba, Alberta, and New Brunswick to structure and substantially elevate Canada's AM research capacity to a globally competitive level. Supported by an investment in key cutting edge infrastructure, Can-AMN will mobilize Canada's talent to address the following three critical challenges facing adoption of AM in aerospace and tooling manufacturing, and, biomedical devices:
1) the development of new AM-specific categories of materials;
2) the development of closed-loop intelligent AM systems to promote the productivity/quality of AM;
3) the development of innovative AM-made products along with sector specific testing protocols/standards. Equipment procured within the Dalhousie suite of infrastructure includes a gas atomizer, powder classifier, three AM systems (laser powder bed, DED, binder jet printer), an O-H-N analyzer, and an advanced system for residual stress measurements.
Completed Research Initiatives:
Copyright, Dalhousie Particulate Material Research Group, 2019