MELComp2 - Mutiplex Energy Laser Consolidation of Continuous Fibre Aluminium Matrix Composites 2
Lead Participant:
ANTICH & SONS (HUDDERSFIELD) LIMITED
Abstract
Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) offer the strength and stiffness of steel, but with the density of
aluminium, making them an exciting candidate for reducing the weight of ground and air vehicles to help
improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Advantages over carbon fibre reinforced plastic composites
include higher temperature resistance, better toughness, recyclability and no corrosion in contact with
aluminium structures. However the drawbacks are the current high cost of the alumina reinforcements and
difficulty in applying existing techniques to high volume manufacture. This project aims to further develop and
demonstrate a novel multiplex energy laser consolidation (MELC) process in combination with advanced 3D
weaving to produce AMC components in a rapid, low energy, low waste process which is anticipated to enable
the tough cost targets of the automotive industry to be met whilst reducing CO2 emissions in both the
manufacturing and use phase of the components.
aluminium, making them an exciting candidate for reducing the weight of ground and air vehicles to help
improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Advantages over carbon fibre reinforced plastic composites
include higher temperature resistance, better toughness, recyclability and no corrosion in contact with
aluminium structures. However the drawbacks are the current high cost of the alumina reinforcements and
difficulty in applying existing techniques to high volume manufacture. This project aims to further develop and
demonstrate a novel multiplex energy laser consolidation (MELC) process in combination with advanced 3D
weaving to produce AMC components in a rapid, low energy, low waste process which is anticipated to enable
the tough cost targets of the automotive industry to be met whilst reducing CO2 emissions in both the
manufacturing and use phase of the components.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
ANTICH & SONS (HUDDERSFIELD) LIMITED | £1,369,312 | £ 821,587 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
313M TECHNOLOGY LIMITED | £1,192,861 | £ 835,003 |
JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED | ||
INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Andy Smith (Project Manager) |