Eliminating post-processing by designing new titanium alloys for 3D printed medical devices

This project aims to revolutionize the medical device manufacturing industry by developing titanium alloys that can be used directly after 3D printing (Laser- Powder Bed Fusion), eliminating costly and time-consuming post-processing steps such as heat treatment. Anecdotal evidence from industry sources suggests that there are large variations in part-to-part consistency of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V components and it is suspected that these variations occur due to small changes in alloy chemistry between the powder batches used for 3D printing. This research will explore how powder alloy composition affects the material characteristics of 3D-printed titanium, with the goal of producing reliable, high-quality parts for a range of industries. The successful PhD candidate will join a dynamic team and contribute to cutting-edge research that has the potential to position Australia as a global leader in additive manufacturing. The successful PhD candidate will have direct exposure to and work with the industry partner, a large multinational implantable medical device manufacturer with global manufacturing plants. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a project with significant industrial relevance and to develop expertise in materials engineering and alloy design.

The successful applicant will join the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering and have access to the facilities within the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM). The successful applicant will leverage the solidification facilities available including melting facilities and 3D printing facilities (SLM solutions), mechanical characterisation equipment (for tensile, hardness etc.), metallographic preparation equipment and UQ’s Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis fully equipment with state-of-the-art facilities. The successful applicant will have access to and have mentoring opportunities within a team of industrial experts in medical device manufacturing.