About
Merve Yesim Yalcin
Postgraduate Researcher
UCD
Merve Yesim Yalcin is a PhD researcher in I-Form at University College Dublin (UCD). Her research focuses on the development and optimisation of Ti64 Lattices with Superior Mechanobiological Interactions. She obtained her BSc degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. She studied on development and characterisation of oxide dispersion strengthened Inconel 718 alloys produced with the PBF-LB technique, and completed her MSc studies in the same department. She also worked on development of oxide dispersion strengthened Inconel 939 alloys including their characterisations, and microstructural characterisation of highly deformed metallic hybrid materials. Having expertise in development of nanostructured alloys, including process optimisation for PBF-LB production of them, and advanced characterisation techniques, Yalcin's work aims to address critical challenges in the production of lattice structures via PBF-LB. Her key interests include metal additive manufacturing, alloy development with its process optimisation, and materials characterisation.
Technical Summary
In her study, Yalcin will address the challenge of improving the mechanobiological performance of the Ti64 lattices to be used as bioimplants. Ti64 is a biocompatible, light weight alloy having high specific strength, and excellent oxidation-corrosion resistance. However, the mechanobiological properties of Ti64 lattices, especially with high amount of porosities, produced via PBF-LB, need to be enhanced. Specifically, during PBF-LB processing, high thermal gradients result in the formation of second phase particles that act a stress concentration points. Thus, it becomes a challenge to overcome the resulting reduction in strength and mechanobiological performance.
The main focus of her project is adjusting the microstructure of Ti64 via nano-additives to improve mechanical properties of the lattices as well as developing new lattice structures to enhance mechanobiological performance of the Ti64 lattices produced with PBF-LB method. To be able to obtain the designated outcomes, process optimisation for PBF-LB for developed lattices with nano-additives will be conducted as well as microstructural characterisation, and evaluation of mechanical and mechanobiological performances. The findings of this innovative project would be expected to enlighten the potential applications of the Ti64 alloy.