Akhila Reddy GorantlaLink title
Introduction : I am currently pursuing Masters in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan tech. I am a metallurgist with 2 years experience in field of ODS Steels and Lead-Free Copper alloys. Over the years, I have realized that the true potential of knowledge lies not in arriving at a solution, but in making it viable. My past research experience paved a way towards a clear goal. I am inclined towards product designing and development that directly links to daily life of common man.
Research Experience : During bachelors I interned in a steel industry, Defence laboratory and in India’s top academic institute IIT Bombay. In steel industry I observed manufacturing and product testing as per consumer needs. I also got deep insight into the problems faced by industry in technology and human resource management. I took 1st steps towards research at DMRL. I worked on Ion Sputtered deposited Ti rich NiTi Thin films. NiTi thin films are not only shape memory alloys but also exhibited two-ways shape memory effect. This involved DC Magnetron sputtering and testing of these films for mechanical properties at varied annealing times. During this period I got insight into shape-memory alloys and their applications in MEMS and actuator valves.
In IITB I worked on fatigue deformation of sub-micron regime single crystals. Sub-Micron regime crystals’ size greatly affects their cyclic deformation behaviour. In order to accumulate knowledge about how crystal dimensions less than 1μm affect maximum stress to failure and variation of cyclic hardening behavior, I observed the relationship between cyclic flow stress and crystal dimensions. During this analysis I acquired great deal of understanding on dislocation dynamics.
At all places I underwent basic laboratory research. However I got opportunity to work in ARCI on a live project where I got great deal of satisfaction. I worked on Lead-Free copper alloys. The material developed was aimed to use in manufacture of bushes like piston pin bushes, cam bushes and other similar type of bushes. Though lead is very useful in many applications, imparting various useful properties to materials, its use has to be minimized, as it has very hazardous effects on environment and human health. The major work concentration was to find suitable replacement of lead and development of the new alloy with similar properties as the Leaded bronze for application in piston pin bushes and cam bushes. I acquired lot of satisfaction when the product was put in use by M/S Bi-Metallic Bearings Pvt Ltd., Chennai.
I worked on other major research projects at ARCI which included Effect of prolonged milling time and thermal exposure on Yttria dispersoids and their effect on Micro-structure and mechanical properties of ODS 9Cr Ferritic/Martensitic steel powders and comparison with bulk. ODS 9Cr steels have application in clad tubes in gen IV nuclear reactors for power generation. I worked simultaneously on dislocation study of tensile tested (at high temperatures) ODS 9Cr samples as there was a sudden decreasing trend in strength properties at higher temperatures. I simultaneously concentrated on production of Nano Fe3Al for low density aerospace forgings through Oxide dispersion strengthening. I also worked on the production nano boron powder from micron sized boron powder using high energy milling.
On personal interest I initiated work on vedic Iron. Sap from bark of Peepal tree was collected and was processed to produce Fe-Rich alloy and was studied. However it was not commercially productive.
Tools:
Through previous experience I acquired hands on exposure on SEM, AFM, Nanoindenter, UTM and Hardness testing.