Speaker: Dr.M D Mathew
Saintgits College of Engineering (Autonomous), Kottayam, Kerala
(Formerly at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam)
Abstract:
Materials used for high temperature components in nuclear power generation, aerospace, chemical and process plants undergo changes in their microstructure during operation in service leading to degradation in their mechanical properties. Monitoring the progressive changes in the mechanical properties is very important from the point of view of ensuring the structural integrity of the components and also for possible extension of their useful service life. Nondestructive methods for directly evaluating the mechanical properties are required for the success of any materials-aging and life management program.
Mechanical properties of materials such as tensile, impact and creep properties, are characterizedusing standard test methods. These methods are generally material intensive. Impression creep (IC), small punch creep (SPC) and ball indentation (BI) are three innovative small specimen testing methods which can be used to determine the mechanical properties of materials. IC test is used to determine the creep deformation behavior of materials. SPC test is used to evaluate creep deformation and fracture properties of materials. Tensile, hardness, and fracture toughness can be evaluated using BI test method. Being material non-intensive, these testing methods are considered non-destructive, and have applications in materials development, structural integrity assessment for life extension of components, and characterization of mechanical properties of different microstructural zones in weld joints.
Bio-data of the speaker:
Dr. M. D. Mathew is currently a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Research Dean, and the Associate Provost at Saintgits College of Engineering (Autonomous) in Kottayam, Kerala. Prior to joining Saintgits, he worked as a Scientist at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. During his research career at IGCAR spanning over 35 years, he made several contributions towards the development of fast breeder and fusion reactor technologies in India. His research work led to the indigenous development of many advanced materials for critical applications in nuclear reactors.
Dr. Mathew is a graduate in Metallurgical Engineering, postgraduate in Physics, postgraduate in Business Administration, and doctorate in Physics-Metallurgy interdisciplinary. He has published over 200 research papers in national and international journals, presented more than 100 research papers in national and international conferences, and published several books and book chapters. He is currently an Editor/ Key Reader/Reviewer of 17 international journals.
Dr. Mathew is ranked among the top 2% Scientists in the World by Stanford University, USA, successively in the year 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. He was awarded Asia’s Outstanding Researcher Award, in the year 2023, for his outstanding contributions in the field of nuclear technology and nuclear energy. He is a Program Evaluator of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), USA. He is a Fellow of The India Institute of Metals, Fellow of The Institution of Engineers (India), Fellow of the Indian Institute of Welding, member of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, USA, member of Global Engineering Deans Council, USA, and life member of several Professional bodies in India. He has received research fellowships from several countries including Japan, S. Korea, Germany and USA where he carried out research work at major nuclear research centers, and universities.
Organized by:
InSIS and Center for Structural Integrity of Safety Critical Systems, IIT Madras
