Docentföreläsning Vivek Patel

Att bli docent markerar en högre vetenskaplig kompetens än doktorsexamen och ses som ett led i en akademisk karriär. Docentföreläsningen är den sista delen i ett ansökningsförfarande för att utnämnas till docent. Syftet med föreläsningen är att på ett populärvetenskapligt sätt förmedla förståelse och inblick i den blivande docentens aktuella forskningsområde för en bred publik.

Vivek Patel är universitetslektor i Svetsteknologi, och håller sin docentföreläsning med titeln: ”Friction Stir Welding: A Sustainable and Efficient Joining in Manufacturing”.

Vivek Patel om sin forskning

"My research mainly focuses on the structure-property relations of various types of aluminium alloys welds produced by solid-state welding technology i.e., friction stir welding. The research area spotlights on the process and its development through experimental investigations following microstructural characterizations and mechanical testing. My research contributes to the advancement of Friction Stir Welding as a reliable and efficient welding technique for a wide range of aluminium alloys, fostering innovation in industries where lightweight and high-strength aluminium structures are vital."

Lecture contents

"Friction Stir Welding (FSW) offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional welding techniques, providing numerous benefits in terms of mechanical properties, environmental impact, and application versatility. As technology continues to advance, FSW is likely to play an increasingly significant role in modern manufacturing processes.

The lecture begins by exploring the growing significance of aluminium alloys in various industries due to their lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance properties. The limitations of conventional welding methods for aluminium alloys are discussed, highlighting the need for alternative approaches, with FSW standing out as a promising solution.

Moreover, the lecture delves into the key parameters influencing the FSW process, including tool design, rotational speed, traverse speed, and processing temperature. Recent research has focused on optimizing these parameters to enhance weld quality, mechanical properties, and overall process efficiency.  While FSW offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges such as tool wear, control of the welding parameters, and limitations on joint geometry.

Additionally, advancements in tool materials and coatings are discussed to address wear and tool life concerns.

The lecture focuses the microstructural evolution during FSW, emphasizing the impact on mechanical properties and the need for precise control over the welding parameters to achieve desired outcomes. At University West, we have been actively investigating the correlation between processing conditions and resulting microstructures to establish guidelines for producing different combinations of aluminium welds with superior mechanical performance.

Overall, this lecture provides an overview of the current state of research in FSW of aluminium alloys, encompassing technological advancements, process optimization, microstructural analysis, and sustainability. As the demand for efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes continues to rise, FSW stands at the forefront of innovation in joining technologies for aluminium alloys."

Beredningsgruppen består av Anställningsnämndens ledamöter.

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