PhD Research Fellow at IIT Patna (2021-07 – Present):
Conducted a study to evaluate hydrogen-induced degradation in the structural integrity of 9Cr-1Mo steel using mechanical characterisation experiments and analytical tools.
- Fabricated setup for electrochemical hydrogen charging and hydrogen content measurement.
- Upgraded elevated-temperature testing setup by integrating a water-cooling system.
- Performed fatigue crack growth rate test to estimate remaining life in the presence of a crack, obtain fracture toughness and assess fatigue life using low and high-cycle fatigue experiments after hydrogen-charging.
- Systematically evaluated the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of 9Cr-1Mo steel and pioneered an experimental method to account for the macroscopic deformation through tensile loading at different strain rates (10-1-10-6s-1).
- Utilised DIC method to capture local strain evolution and successfully captured the role of hydrogen in the initiation of multiple strain localisation sites.
- Applied Taguchi analysis to demonstrate that strain rate dominates embrittling of 9Cr-1Mo steel due to hydrogen.
- Determined the governing hydrogen-assisted damage mechanisms through fractographic analysis using SEM images and correlated with mechanical properties degradation.
- 73% reduction in the ductility and nearly 3 times increase in crack growth rate in the hydrogen-charged 9Cr-1Mo steel was correlated to hydrogen-enhanced localised plasticity and decohesion mechanism.
- 33.33% and 22.58% decrease in the fatigue limit due to hydrogen was attributed to HELP and HEDE mechanisms at ambient temperature and dominant high-temperature hydrogen attack at elevated temperature, respectively.
- Maintained and troubleshot critical lab equipment for efficient project execution, and concurrently managed the procurement of mechanical components, consumables, and instrumentation.
- Strengthened technical communication, problem-solving, and demonstrated leadership, mentoring and project coordination by supervising 2 undergraduates and 2 master's students for their final year dissertation.
MTech Research Fellow at IITRAM Ahmedabad (2018-08 – 2020-10)
Carried out an in-depth experimental study on joining aluminium alloys using friction-stir-welding and implemented DoE framework for machining optimization.
- Carried out an in-depth experimental study on joining aluminium alloys using friction-stir-welding (collaboration with PDEU, Gandhinagar).
- Investigated friction stir weldability and mechanical performance of commercial-grade AA8011-h14.
- Executed FSW to join low-strength AA 8011-h14 and high-strength/ AA 6061-T6 with optimum strength.
- Implemented the DoE framework to improve and optimize the machining parameters to obtain a surface finish below 2μm during the facing operation of the flange on the lathe machine. (Collaboration with JB Engineering, Gujarat).
- Evaluated the feasibility of a cryogenic injection system and developed a portable setup to inject cryogenic fluid to control the temperature rise, enhance tool life and increase surface finish during machining operations.
Engineer – R&D at Usha Martin Ltd. (2013-10 – 2017-02)
- Employed a drip lubrication system to prevent nylon thread breakage due to excessive heat generation during strand production for Combination Fishing Rope.
- Coordinated development of 10 & 40-stranded crane rope with improved fatigue strength & rope flexibility by 10%.
- Commissioned increased area compaction on the strand from 12 % to 15% for the existing 8-stranded Star Rope to achieve 5% higher breaking load, for WuJiang, China.
- Oversaw development of rope with Grease Retention System in IWRC for Uralkali – Russia (grease holding capacity app. 23% by weight), to minimise depletion of lubricant in rope during operation.
- Successfully implemented the development of high-speed and special-purpose elevator ropes, serving clientele such as Liebherr, Schindler, Kone, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, etc.
- Introduced the use of Poly Core in 35 x 7S ropes to improve dimensional stability in rope diameter and studied the relation between cage speed and pay-off rotation for the existing Sun and Planetary Rope closing machine.
Project Trainee at GTRE-DRDO (2019-07 – 2020-06)
MTech Dissertation on "Modelling and Simulation of Actuation System for Automatic Nozzle Calibrator"
- Performed calibration and data analysis for variable area exhaust nozzle system.
