Executive Summary : | The proposal aims to 3D print ultrafine grained high performance metallic components in solid state and characterize their suitability for defense applications using a novel solid state friction stir engineering (FSE) based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. A novel ejector system and a hybrid set-up based on FSE-AM approach will be designed and developed to fabricate the desired components. The project aims to address the increasing demand for materials with lesser weight and enhanced performance, as conventional manufacturing methods offer high accuracy but lead to material wastage and difficulty in fabricating intricate components from advanced metallic alloys. The scientific objectives include designing and developing a novel ejector system, developing a hybrid set-up for 3D printing metal parts in solid state, developing a suitable method for fabricating parts via hybrid set-up, developing ultrafine grained metal parts of varied shapes, characterizing microstructural evolution, mechanical and surface properties, establishing process-property relationships, and analyzing process energy requirements. The proposed hybrid set-up will be a landmark in the solid state AM field, as it can develop wrought microstructures with significant improvements in mechanical and other properties of materials. High-performance 3D metal parts will be developed with high utility in the defense sector, and the technology can be transferred as per SERB POWER norms. |