MELComp2 - Mutiplex Energy Laser Consolidation of Continuous Fibre Aluminium Matrix Composites 2

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Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) offer the strength and stiffness of steel, but with the density ofaluminium, making them an exciting candidate for reducing the weight of ground and air vehicles to helpimprove efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Advantages over carbon fibre reinforced plastic compositesinclude higher temperature resistance, better toughness, recyclability and no corrosion in contact withaluminium structures. However the drawbacks are the current high cost of the alumina reinforcements anddifficulty in applying existing techniques to high volume manufacture. This project aims to further develop anddemonstrate a novel multiplex energy laser consolidation (MELC) process in combination with advanced 3Dweaving to produce AMC components in a rapid, low energy, low waste process which is anticipated to enablethe tough cost targets of the automotive industry to be met whilst reducing CO2 emissions in both themanufacturing and use phase of the components.