Om oss/About us

GKN Aerospace is the aerospace operation of GKN plc, serving a global customer base and operating in North America and Europe. With sales of £2.2 billion in 2014, the business is focused around three major product areas - aerostructures, engine structures and a number of special products – transparencies, electro-thermal ice protection, fuel and flotation systems, and bullet resistant glass.

This thesis work is initiated through GKN Aerospace Engine Systems with head quarter in Trollhättan, Sweden. The Trollhättan site employs approximately 2000 persons in research and technology, product development, manufacturing and product support of jet engines and engines for space vehicles.GKN Aerospace is deeply involved in developing and adapting additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for engine parts.

Bakgrund till examensarbetet/Background of thesisproject

New manufacturing processes are developed to enable better design solutions and to decrease product cost. The precipitation hardened superalloy IN718 is widely used to make parts in the hot section of jet engines and efforts are now underway to enable additive manufacturing (AM) processes for this material. Early trials have shown that the manufactured parts are prone to cracking in the bulk material during processing. This thesis aims at creating a physically based understanding of the phenomena involved and to explore and propose mathematical expressions of thesemechanisms. The proposed mathematical expressions may serve as a base for multidisciplinary (thermal, structural and material behavior) simulation models which will guide further development in the field of AM processes for superalloys.

Uppdragsbeskrivning/Assignment description

The thesis work will focus on

  • Investigation ofthe AM process and conditions for cracking by literature study and review of GKN experience of AM processes and cracking
  • Literature review of mathematical based models that can be used for simulation of identified mechanisms
  • Description of the process in physical parameters
  • Proposal of a simulation approach and possible validation tests

The thesis work will be supported by appropriate material and process engineers.

Mål/Target

  • An increased knowledge of the AM process and mechanisms decisive for cracking of IN718
  • A proposed mathematical model andsimulation approach that may be used for development of AM processes. Primary objective is to create a rapid model that can be used for process development/adaptation. Full geometrical resolution is may/will be compromised

Kvalifikationer/Qualifications

  • This thesis work can be performed by one student or (preferably) by two with complementary interests and skills
  • Master in mechanical engineering, material engineering, engineering physics or similar from Luleå University of Technology
  • Interest in material science, solid mechanics and mathematical modeling
  • Previous experience of computer programming (e.g. in Matlab) is recommended
  • GKN would prefer if the student(s) can perform most of the work on site at the R&T organization in Trollhättan

Ansökgenomatt/Apply by

Sending CV and a personal letter to