Indranil Mandal

Doctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur with expertise in laser-directed energy deposition, surface engineering, and microstructure-controlled performance optimization of advanced alloys. My doctoral research focuses on establishing process-structure-property relationships in metallic systems using magnetic-field-assisted laser cladding and laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED), including studies of data-driven process optimization. I have strong experience in advanced materials characterization, including FESEM, TEM, XRD, EBSD, Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, nano-scratch testing, wear, and hardness evaluation at the nano- and macroscales, as well as the design of customized experimental setups for laser-based manufacturing processes. I have published journal articles and book chapters, and I have presented my work at international conferences.My research interests focus on advanced materials science and engineering, particularly laser-based additive manufacturing of metallic systems, thermally driven microstructural evolution, phase transformation behaviour, and structure-property relationships. I am interested in understanding and controlling solidification dynamics, grain refinement mechanisms, defect evolution, and carbide precipitation to enhance mechanical and functional performance in advanced alloys.

• Participated in FDPs and advanced training programmes on additive manufacturing, materials characterization, AI/ML for manufacturing, and research methodology (IITs and national platforms).
• Training included laser processing, advanced microscopy, data-driven modeling, and academic research practices.

• Institute Assistantship, 2021-present, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) PhD Research Scholar, IIT Kharagpur.
• GATE Fellowship, 2013-2015, Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Fellowship during M. Tech at National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research, Kolkata, India.
• Silver medalist, 2015, Course- M. Tech.
• Topper, Top 5% in FDP (NPTEL COURSE) Course on Manufacturing Process Technology.

1. Mandal, I., Banerjee, A., Saha, P. (2025). Influence of steady magnetic field on Wear resistance and microstructure of laser cladded SDSS 2507 on SS 420, considering anomalous elastic Modulus behaviour. Surface and Coatings Technology. (Published). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2025.132426.

2. Mandal, I., Kumar, V., Saha, P. (2025). Magnetic-field-assisted laser cladding of SDSS 2507 on SS 420: An experimental investigation and multi-objective optimization. Optics & Laser Technology, 113603. Elsevier. (Published). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2025.113603.

3. Mandal, I., Kumar, V., Saha, P. (2025). Machine learning prediction of erosion resistance of laser-clad coatings on martensitic stainless steel for steam turbine blades. Journal of Micromanufacturing, SAGE Publications. (Published). https://doi.org/10.1177/25165984251317028.

4. Mandal, I., Mohanty, I., Saha, P. (2025). Laser directed energy deposition of super duplex stainless steel 2507 on SS 420 with and without application of magnetic field. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Precision, Micro, Meso and Nano Engineering (COPEN-13). Accepted for publication in a Springer book chapter.

5. Mandal, I, & Saha, P. "Influence of Magnetostrictive Effects on Hardness and Thermal Stress During Laser Cladding of SDSS 2507 on SS 420 Under the Steady Magnetic Field." Proceedings of the ASME 2025 20th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, Greenville, South Carolina, USA. June 23-27, 2025. V001T06A005. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/MSEC2025-155715.

6. Mandal, I, & Saha, P. "Enhancing Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Single-Track Magnetic-Field-Assisted Laser Cladding of Super Duplex Stainless Steel 2507 on SS 420." Proceedings of the ASME 2025 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition - India. Hyderabad, India. September 10–13, 2025. V001T01A038. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE-INDIA2025-161272.

7.  Mandal, I., Saha, P. (2025). Laser Metal Deposition of SDSS 2507 on SS 420 under a Steady Magnetic Field: Effect on Microstructure, Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour. Paper presented on December 12, 2025, at AIMTDR 2025, India.

8. Mandal, I., Saha, P. et. al. (2025). Magnetic Field Assisted Laser Directed Energy Deposition of Super Duplex Stainless Steel 2507 on SS 420: Process Induced Microstructure Refinement and Property Enhancement. Advanced Engineering Materials Journal (Revision submitted).

9. Mandal, I., Saha, P. et. al. (2025). Steady Magnetic-Field-Assisted Laser Directed Energy Deposition of SDSS 2507 on SS 420: Microstructural Evolution, Mechanical Properties, Tribological Performance, and Corrosion Behaviour. Journal: Metals and Materials International (Revision submitted).

10. Mandal, I., Saha, P. (2025). Tribological and Mechanical Performance of Magnetic-Field-Assisted Laser-Cladded SDSS 2507 Coatings on Martensitic Stainless Steel 420. Journal- Tribology Transactions (Under review).

11. Mandal, I., Kumar, V. and Saha, P., 2025. Process Parameter-Response Relationships in Magnetic-Field-Controlled Laser Cladding: An Explainable Machine Learning Approach. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Submitted).

12. Mandal, I., and Saha, P., 2025. Steady Magnetic-Field-Assisted L-DED of SDSS 2507 on SS 420 Solidification Control, Microstructural Evolution, and Wear Response. Journal of Materials Science (Under review).

Others-

1. Mandal, I. et al. (2022). Sustainable analysis of process parameters in TIG welding of 304 Stainless Steel. In Advances in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (pp. 67–74). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

2. Mandal, I. et al. (2022). Parametric optimisation of Abrasive Jet Machining of ceramic using Taguchi method. Advances in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (pp. 75–81). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

3.  Mandal, I. et al. (2022). Optimisation of process parameters in friction stir welding of aluminium 4423 lap joints using Taguchi method. Advances in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (pp. 60–66). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

4. Mandal, I. et al. (2022). Optimisation of process parameters in manufacturing miniature spur gears by CNC wire cut EDM. Advances in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (pp. 53–59). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

5. Mandal, I. et al.  (2022). Sustainable Analysis of Process Parameters During TIG Welding of Dissimilar Joining Between 304 Stainless Steel and AISI 1018 Mild Steel. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), 13(1), 1–14. IGI Global.

6. Mandal, I. et al. (2020). Optimization of Process Parameters on Abrasive Jet Machining of Ceramic. Advances in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore.

7. Mandal, I. et al. (2020). Development and parametric optimization of abrasive jet machining setup. Materials Today: Proceedings, 22, 2306-2315.

8. Mandal, I. et al. (2019, November). State of the art on laser-assisted electrochemical machining. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 653, No. 1, p. 012030). IOP Publishing.

9. Mandal, I. et al. (2017). “Design, Fabrication, and Optimization of Process Parameters of Abrasive Jet Machining. In the 10th International Conference on Precision, Meso, Micro, and Nano Engineering (pp. 206-209).

• ASME MSEC, USA, 2025
• ASME IMECE INDIA, India, 2025
• AIMTDR, India, 2025
• IMPULSE, IIT MADRAS, India, 2023
• ICAMME, KIIT, India, 2019
• ICMMM, VIT, Vellore, India, 2019
• TAME, KGEC, India, 2019
• COPEN, IIT Madras, India, 2017

Laser-based additive manufacturing (L-DED, laser cladding), SEM, EBSD, XRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, Nanoindentation, nano-scratch, tribological testing, MATLAB, Python, Process optimization, Regression modeling, Finite element analysis (ANSYS)

• M.Tech-"Concept generation and development of green friction stir welding technique of AA 4423 T-lap joint". Involved in the design and development of a fixture, investigation of mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics, and optimization of process parameters, leading to a comparative evaluation between Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding.
• B.Tech- "Effect of electrode composition on the mechanical properties of the material". Investigated how variations in electrode composition influence the mechanical behaviour, performance, and property enhancement of welded materials through experimental analysis.