Dr. Oliver Levano Blanch

Position:
Research Associate

Research Area:
FAST-forge

I graduated from my BSc (Hons) in Materials Engineering at the University of Barcelona (UB) in 2016. While I was studying the BSc, I collaborated with the research group Thermal Spray Centre (CTP) in a project to study the performance of different coatings for wind turbine blades. Additionally, I had the opportunity to do an internship in the materials laboratory of SEAT testing the quality of the materials.

In 2017, I received my MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Systems Managements from the University of Manchester. Currently, I am doing an EngD at the Centre for Doctoral Training Advanced Metallic Systems

Current Research

My current research is focus in developing the concept of FAST-DB and is sponsored by Rolls-Royce.

Many aerospace components are exposed to extreme service stress states and temperatures, which in some applications could compromise the component’s performance if a single titanium alloy is used. A potential solution to this issue could be the combination of dissimilar titanium alloys in subcomponent regions, achieved through consolidating powders via field assisted sintering technology (FASTDB) and subsequent hot forging (FAST-forge).

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) or also known as field assisted sintering technology (FAST), uses electrical current and mechanical pressure to obtain a fully dense solid from powder. The dissimilar titanium powder alloys can be layered on top of each other to obtain a fully dense solid with two different alloys.

The aim of the research is to understand the mechanical properties and failure mechanism of the bond through a range of mechanical tests. Furthermore, this project will look at the effect in the diffusion bond after close die forge a FAST-DB material. The main alloys studied in this research are Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-242.