Our ongoing projects are organized around a mechanism-driven materials science framework, linking processing history, microstructural evolution, surface/subsurface integrity, local mechanical response, and final performance.
Select a research family below to explore the corresponding ongoing projects.
1. Correlative Microstructure–Mechanics & Damage Analysis
Microstructure, local mechanical response, deformation localization and fracture mechanisms.
2. Surface/Subsurface Microstructure–Property Engineering
Surface treatments, residual stress, hardness gradients, wear, corrosion and fatigue-related performance.
3. Deformation-Processed and Heterostructured Metallic Materials
SPD, ECAP, HPT, hierarchical microstructures, HDI strengthening and strain partitioning.
4. Titanium-Based Materials, Powder Metallurgy & Metal Matrix Composites
Titanium alloys, Ti matrix composites, powder metallurgy, reinforcement architecture and tribological/biomedical performance.
1. Correlative Microstructure–Mechanics & Damage Analysis
Microstructure, local mechanical response, deformation localization and fracture mechanisms.
Additive Manufacturing and Hydroforming of Optimized Tubular Components
Focus: Additive manufacturing, hydroforming, 316L stainless steel, tubular components, flow and mechanical property optimization
Status: Ongoing
Timeline: 2025–present
Programme / Research Network: CORNET Germany–Türkiye collaborative programme involving Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA, Research Association for Steel Application), Additive Manufacturing Association (TAMA), and Kocaeli University, with academic links to Kocaeli University and Chemnitz University of Technology.
This project explores a hybrid manufacturing route in which LPBF-produced tubular semi-finished products are subsequently shaped by hydroforming. The aim is to combine the design freedom of additive manufacturing with the mechanical benefits of forming, enabling lightweight tubular components with tailored flow and mechanical properties. The current work compares additively manufactured and conventional 316L stainless steel tubes through mechanical testing, DIC-based strain analysis, surface topography, microstructural characterization, XRD, and computational flow simulations. The broader goal is to understand how processing route, surface condition, microstructural heterogeneity, and strain localization govern the performance of AM-derived tubular components.
Keywords: LPBF, hydroforming, 316L stainless steel, tubular components, DIC, CFD, surface integrity, strain localization, microstructure–property relationships.
Energy-Efficient Press Hardening of Thick Patch Blanks by Induction Heating
Focus: Press hardening, induction heating, thick patch blanks, high-strength steels, coating/microstructure/property relationships
Status: Awarded / Starting in 2026
Timeline: 2026–2029
Programme / Research Network: CORNET Germany–Türkiye collaborative programme involving Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA, Research Association for Steel Application), Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO), Kocaeli University (KOU), and Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM.
This project investigates energy-efficient heating strategies for press hardening of high-strength steel components reinforced with thick patch blanks. The aim is to combine induction heating with conventional furnace heating to reduce energy consumption while maintaining sufficient austenitization, martensitic transformation, coating integrity, and local reinforcement performance. The work focuses on coated and uncoated press-hardening steels, including AlSi and Zn-based coating variants, and examines how heating strategy, patch geometry, coating evolution, and local microstructure influence the final mechanical response. The research combines process-oriented thermal/mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, coating analysis, microhardness or indentation-based local property mapping, process simulation, and crash-relevant component testing.
The broader goal is to understand how local heating history and patch-blank architecture control coating stability, martensite formation, local mechanical properties, and energy-absorption behaviour in lightweight press-hardened components.
Keywords: press hardening, induction heating, thick patch blanks, high-strength steels, AlSi coating, Zn coating, martensite, microhardness, local mechanical properties, process–microstructure–property relationships.
2. Surface & Subsurface Integrity Engineering
Surface treatments, residual stress, hardness gradients, wear, corrosion and fatigue-related performance.
Surface and Subsurface Integrity Engineering of High-Strength Alloy Systems
Focus: Mechanical surface treatment, surface integrity, residual stress, hardness gradients, and microstructure–property relationships
Status: Ongoing / Industry-linked R&D project
Timeline: 2025–present
Programme / Research Network: Industry-linked research collaboration, Kocaeli University.
This project focuses on the surface and subsurface modification of high-strength alloy systems for demanding engineering applications. The aim is to understand how mechanical surface treatment affects surface morphology, near-surface deformation, residual stress development, and depth-dependent mechanical response.
Through correlative characterization, the project links surface integrity indicators with performance-relevant material behaviour, supporting the design of more durable and reliable alloy components for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.
Keywords: surface integrity, mechanical surface treatment, high-strength alloys, residual stress, hardness gradient, surface topography, near-surface deformation, durability.
Energy-Efficient Press Hardening of Thick Patch Blanks by Induction Heating
Focus: Press hardening, induction heating, thick patch blanks, high-strength steels, coating/microstructure/property relationships
Status: Awarded / Starting in 2026
Timeline: 2026–2029
Programme / Research Network: CORNET Germany–Türkiye collaborative programme involving Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA, Research Association for Steel Application), Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO), Kocaeli University (KOU), and Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM.
This project investigates energy-efficient heating strategies for press hardening of high-strength steel components reinforced with thick patch blanks. The aim is to combine induction heating with conventional furnace heating to reduce energy consumption while maintaining sufficient austenitization, martensitic transformation, coating integrity, and local reinforcement performance. The work focuses on coated and uncoated press-hardening steels, including AlSi and Zn-based coating variants, and examines how heating strategy, patch geometry, coating evolution, and local microstructure influence the final mechanical response. The research combines process-oriented thermal/mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, coating analysis, microhardness or indentation-based local property mapping, process simulation, and crash-relevant component testing.
The broader goal is to understand how local heating history and patch-blank architecture control coating stability, martensite formation, local mechanical properties, and energy-absorption behaviour in lightweight press-hardened components.
Keywords: press hardening, induction heating, thick patch blanks, high-strength steels, AlSi coating, Zn coating, martensite, microhardness, local mechanical properties, process–microstructure–property relationships.
3. Deformation-Processed and Heterostructured Metallic Materials
4. Titanium-Based Materials, Powder Metallurgy & Metal Matrix Composites
Titanium alloys, Ti matrix composites, powder metallurgy, reinforcement architecture and tribological/biomedical performance.
BIO-TIFESIN: Low-Alloy Ti–Fe–Si–Nb System for Biomedical Applications
Focus: Titanium alloys, powder metallurgy, vacuum hot pressing, biomedical materials, microstructure–property relationships
Status: Ongoing / TÜBİTAK 1002-A project
Timeline: 2025–present
Programme / Research Network: TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Programme, Kocaeli University.
This project develops a new low-alloy titanium system, Ti–1Fe–0.5Si–1Nb, using elemental powder mixtures and vacuum hot pressing. The alloy is designed to combine the β-stabilizing effect of Fe, the biocompatible and modulus-reducing role of Nb, and the grain-refining/mechanical strengthening contribution of Si.
The research links alloy design, phase formation, microstructural homogeneity, local mechanical response, wear behaviour, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial performance. Ti–6Al–4V is used as a reference material to assess the biomedical potential of the newly developed alloy.
Keywords: Ti–Fe–Si–Nb alloy, biomedical titanium, powder metallurgy, vacuum hot pressing, microstructure, microindentation, wear, corrosion, antibacterial activity.
Functionally Graded Ti6Al4V/Graphite Matrix Composites for Enhanced Tribological Performance
Focus: Titanium matrix composites, powder metallurgy, functionally graded materials, graphite reinforcement, microstructure–mechanics–tribology relationships
Status: Awarded / Starting in 2026
Timeline: 2026–2029
Programme / Research Network: CORNET Germany–Türkiye collaborative programme involving Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA, Research Association for Steel Application), Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KSO), Kocaeli University (KOU), and Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM.
This project develops compositionally graded Ti6Al4V/graphite matrix composites using a pressure-assisted powder metallurgy route. The aim is to improve the weak wear resistance of titanium alloys by designing a graphite-rich surface/near-surface region while preserving the load-bearing capability of the Ti6Al4V matrix.
The work links graphite distribution, graded architecture, hardness gradients, bending response, friction behaviour, wear-track morphology, and surface topography. Through Taguchi-based process optimization and correlative characterization, the project aims to clarify how surface/subsurface compositional grading controls mechanical and tribological performance.
Keywords: Ti6Al4V, graphite reinforcement, titanium matrix composites, functionally graded materials, powder metallurgy, hardness mapping, bending response, wear resistance, surface topography.