Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
99
3.1
Structural materials
The University has extensive facilities for characterising
the structural properties of materials – and manipulating
them to improve or alter their performance. We have a
thorough understanding of how atomic and molecular
structures can affect the properties of materials at the
macroscale – properties that can give materials novel
characteristics for applications in construction and
industry. We can also select from a range of analytical
instruments to investigate and diagnose problems and
structural failures in materials.
3.
Structural materials
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Aerospace and automotive
•
Built environment
•
Creative industries
•
Defence and security
•
Energy
•
Civil engineering
•
High value manufacturing
•
Electronics and electrical systems
•
Sustainability
•
Transport and infrastructure
Also see:
Materials, Advanced Design &
Manufacturing
–
2.
Manufacturing technologies,
page 90
3.2
Other structural materials
Keywords
Metallic shells, composite shells, energy-absorption,
fracture mechanics, computational mechanics,
structural optimisation
Expertise
Research at the University is focused on the
development of structural materials for aircraft structures
(
composites etc); prosthetic implants (selective melting
of alloys); and blast resistant materials for chemical plant
and reactors.
We also carry out extensive research on lightweight
materials and structures and have a track record of
developing and characterising novel materials and
structures for use in high-performance engineering
applications.
Materials and materials manufacturing
Porous metals
We have developed and patented a novel technique for
manufacturing a wide range of porous metals. The lost
carbonate sintering method produces porous metals
with open pores as fine as 100 microns. These new
materials have exceptional mechanical, electrical,
thermal, acoustic or biomedical properties. (See Case
Study ‘Porous medical devices’ on page 85).
Lattice structures
The University’s selective laser melting facility has been
used to manufacture a range of high-performance
lattice structures. These structures are capable of
absorbing significant energy when subjected to impact
loads. Their behaviour is now being modelled using
finite element methods.
Hybrid materials
The University has developed a range of new thermo-
plastic-matrix fibre-metal laminates (FML) that can be
manufactured in significantly shorter timescales than
conventional FMLs. These hybrid structures offer an
excellent resistance to continuous fatigue cycling as well
as localised impact and blast loads.
Composite materials
The University is developing and characterising a range
of new materials, including fully recyclable composite
materials and environmentally-friendly composites
based on natural fibres such as hemp, sisal and flax.
Materials testing
Blast resistance of safety critical components
A new test facility has delivered important insights into
the explosion resistance of safety critical components
and structural systems – for example, FMLs and
laser-welded aircraft panels.
Foreign object and blast impact expertise
The University has expertise in impact testing a wide
variety of structures. We have studied a number of
foreign object impact scenarios, including the impact of
foreign objects on tyre rubber on aircraft. Such studies
are supported by the numerical simulation of projectiles
during impact using LS-DYNA software.
Another area of expertise is in blast loading where a
number of large air blast rigs are used to test panels
up to one metre square, made in metallic and polymer
composite materials. This experimental work is
supported with numerical simulation (AUTODYN).
Fracture properties of composite materials
Composite materials are currently being investigated
under extreme loading conditions, such as those
associated with high-velocity impact loading and blast.
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
