09/09/2013

UJ student performing friction stir welds for his doctorate qualification.

Dr Esther Akinlabi, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University alumni, is hosting one of her postgraduate students at NMMU’s Friction Stir Welding (FSW) facilities. University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) doctorate candidate, Mr Patrick Mubiayi under the supervision of Dr Akinlabi, is currently conducting research focusing on Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) of Aluminium and Copper.

When asked why this particular field of research Mubiayi had much enthusiasm and passion for friction processing. He elaborated that his interest for the technology was sparked during the period of his master studies at the University of WITS. His then mentor, Prof Claudia Polese, introduced him to the technology after which he did some research and came across research publications of Professor Danie Hattingh from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Intrigued by exploring solutions to bonding problems within the manufacturing industry, and the research conducted by Dr Calvin Blignault, esteemed NMMU researcher, persuaded Mubiayi to pursue his doctorate qualification. Mubiayi soon made contact with Dr Akinlabi who assisted him in obtaining an institutional bursary at UJ to assist him with completed his doctorate studies.

Dr Akinlabi and her husband, Mr Stephen Akinlabi, are well known to NMMU Mechanical Engineering. The Akinlabi’s both pursued their DTech Mechanical Engineering degrees at our institution. Dr Akinlabi graduated in 2011 at the NMMU whereas Mr Akinlabi is continuing his research at UJ.

Efforts of the research conducted during the visit to NMMU are envisaged to provide valuable input in the student’s research process. Mubiayi stated that he is expecting strong welds with better than average properties in an effort to optimise the joining of pure aluminium to copper 3mm for possible industrial applications. 

The NMMU has strong linkages with other national and international institution to further research within the field of friction processing. Collaborations within this field of research has secured eNtsa as pioneers in the field of FP and that falls within their mission statement to facilitate knowledge and skills development which is assisting young researchers such as Mr Mubiayi to further their research practice.

 

From left to right – Mr Stephen Akinlabi (Senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at UJ), Dr Esther Akinlabi (Senior lecturer and supervisor in Mechanical Engineering at UJ), Mr Riaan Brown (Facilities Engineering within Mechanical Engineering at NMMU), Mr Patrick Mubiayi (doctorate mechanical engineering student at UJ) at the MTS ISTIR platform where they joined Aluminium to Copper plates using the FSW technology.

 

 

For more information contact Nadine Marupen at Nadine.Marupen@mandela.ac.za or 0415043019.

Contact information
Ms Nadine Goliath
Operations Manager
Tel: 27 41 504 3019
nadine.goliath@mandela.ac.za