This research is aimed at producing in vitro a structure consisting of HAP by precipitation within collagen tissue by simultaneous forming of collagen II out of soluble collagen while the HAP is forming. The reason for the porous matrix is to facilitate the infiltration of the vessels. Techniques for forming such a matrix must be established. The students on these projects will work closely with General Electric Power Systems Division. Superalloys are used in turbine blade applications, but they are difficult to weld due to lack of sufficient control over the weld fusion zone grain structure and morphology.
Failure often occurs near or within the weld line.
These projects will study both the weldability of these materials, and the failure mode and morphology of the welds, through the use of scanning electron microscopy and standard metallography techniques.