Dr. M. Ashokkumar: Assistant professor at Chennai Institute of Technology, India

Dr. M. Ashokkumar is an Assistant Professor (Research) at the Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, India, with over three years of focused research experience in surface engineering and nearly five years of teaching experience in mechanical engineering. His academic journey has been driven by a passion for advancing material science, specifically in the areas of thermal spray coating techniques, wear and corrosion resistance, and composite materials. He holds a Ph.D. from Annamalai University, where his doctoral research focused on enhancing the performance of cold-sprayed metal matrix composite coatings on magnesium alloys through friction stir processing. Dr. Ashokkumar’s research interests extend to optimizing fabrication techniques for better material properties, especially in the context of improving the durability of aerospace and automotive components.

Online Profiles

Dr. Ashokkumar is highly active across various academic and professional platforms. His profiles showcase his contributions to the fields of surface engineering and composite materials:

  • Web of Science: Profile Link – A comprehensive profile with detailed publication records.

  • Scopus: Profile Link – Provides access to a list of citations and research metrics.

  • ResearchGate: Profile Link – Dr. Ashokkumar’s profile on ResearchGate highlights his publications and collaborations with global researchers.

  • Google Scholar: Profile Link – His Google Scholar profile provides detailed citation counts and links to his published papers.

  • ORCID: Profile Link – A unique identifier linking his research across different academic and publishing platforms.

  • Total Citations: 608 (599 since 2020)

  • h-index: 16 (15 since 2020)
    The h-index is a metric that indicates both the productivity and citation impact of a scholar’s work. An h-index of 16 means that Dr. Ashokkumar has published 16 papers that have been cited at least 16 times each, reflecting consistent and impactful research output.

  • i10-index: 22 (since 2020)
    The i10-index measures the number of academic publications with at least 10 citations. Dr. Ashokkumar has 22 papers that have received significant attention, further indicating the relevance and influence of his research in the field.

Education

Dr. Ashokkumar earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Annamalai University, with his thesis focusing on the enhancement of cold-sprayed metal matrix composite coatings on magnesium alloys through friction stir processing. His research aimed to optimize the performance of these coatings in terms of adhesion strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. The work, conducted under the guidance of Dr. D. Thirumalaikumarasamy, has contributed significantly to the understanding of cold spray technology and its applications in aerospace and automotive industries. Apart from his doctoral studies, Dr. Ashokkumar also holds certificates in various advanced software tools such as AutoCAD, CATIA, ANSYS, and MATLAB, enhancing his capabilities in design and simulation for material processing and optimization techniques.

Research Focus

Dr. Ashokkumar’s research is rooted in surface engineering, where he applies advanced techniques to improve the durability, wear resistance, and corrosion protection of metal alloys and composite materials. His primary focus is on cold spray coating techniques, particularly for magnesium alloys in aerospace and automotive applications. By utilizing friction stir processing, he aims to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of these coatings, such as adhesion strength and resistance to environmental degradation. Additionally, his research investigates optimization techniques like response surface methodology (RSM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) to fine-tune spray parameters and ensure high-performance coatings. Dr. Ashokkumar’s work also explores the integration of composite materials in coating systems to enhance the overall mechanical performance and lifespan of critical components.

Experience

Dr. Ashokkumar has significant academic and research experience spanning several years. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor (Research) at the Chennai Institute of Technology, where he continues his research work while mentoring students in the areas of mechanical engineering and surface engineering. Previously, he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Government College of Engineering, Bargur (2022–2024), and as a Lecturer at MRK Polytechnic College, Kattumanarkoil. Throughout his career, Dr. Ashokkumar has been involved in teaching undergraduate courses, conducting lab sessions, and guiding research projects, particularly those focusing on material properties, surface engineering, and optimization techniques. His role at various institutions has not only enhanced his teaching experience but also allowed him to collaborate with researchers and students on various groundbreaking projects in material science.

Research Timeline

  • 2024 – Present: Assistant Professor (Research) at Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, India – Currently involved in advanced research in cold spray coating technologies, focusing on composite materials and optimization techniques.

  • 2022 – 2024: Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Bargur, India – Worked on research projects involving cold spray coatings and their applications in corrosion and wear resistance.

  • 2017 – 2022: Lecturer, MRK Polytechnic College, Kattumanarkoil, India – Focused on teaching mechanical engineering students and conducting research related to composite materials.

  • Ph.D. Research (2017): Research on enhancing cold-sprayed metal matrix composite coatings, exploring the use of friction stir processing to optimize material properties like adhesion strength and wear resistance.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Ashokkumar has received numerous accolades for his contributions to mechanical engineering and material science. Notable achievements include:

  • Winner, Paper Presentation in the DST-SERB sponsored National Level Technical Symposium SOFA-2019 at Muthayammal Engineering College, for his work on wear and corrosion resistance in thermal-sprayed coatings.

  • Runner-Up awards in various national and international conferences, including CRO B Z’15 at Nagarjuna Engineering College and ASHRAE’13 at P.B. Engineering College.

  • Certificate of Merit for presenting technical papers at esteemed conferences such as the Manufacturing Engineering Research Scholars Symposium (MERSSEL-2020) and International Virtual Conference on Functional Materials (ICFMAA-2021).

  • Recognition for leadership in organizing seminars and technical events, contributing to the academic community.

Recent Publications

Dr. Ashokkumar’s research has been widely published in high-impact journals, with his most recent work addressing optimization techniques in cold spray coatings:

  • HVOF-Sprayed Silicon Carbide-Enhanced TiO₂ Cermet Coatings for Titanium Alloys: A Study on Solid Particle Erosion Behavior
    Authors: R. Sathiyamoorthy, T. Duraisamy, A. Mohankumar
    Published in: Silicon, 1-22, 2025
    This study explores the solid particle erosion behavior of HVOF-sprayed silicon carbide-enhanced TiO₂ cermet coatings on titanium alloys, offering insights into improving wear resistance for aerospace and industrial applications.

  • Advanced Metaheuristic-Based Optimization for Tensile Strength in Fused Filament Fabricated Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Parts
    Authors: P. Sagar, G. Kumar, H.C. Garg, P. Khatak, Y. Huang, M. Ashokkumar
    Published in: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 1-19, 2025
    The paper delves into the use of advanced metaheuristic optimization techniques to enhance the tensile strength of parts produced via fused filament fabrication, focusing on Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) materials.

  • Effect of Tool Tilt Angles on the Formation of YSZ/Al2O3 Hybrid Surface Composites on Friction Stir Processed Magnesium Alloy AZ31
    Authors: M. Ashokkumar, P. Vignesh, A. Thirugnanasambandam, T. Sonar
    Published in: Materials Testing, 67(6), 1029-1037, 2025
    This research investigates the influence of different tool tilt angles during friction stir processing on the formation of hybrid surface composites on magnesium alloy, aiming to improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

  • Optimizing Cold Spray Process Parameters for AA2024/Al2O3 Coatings to Minimize Wear Loss via Response Surface Methodology and Particle Swarm Optimization
    Authors: A. Mohankumar, T. Duraisamy, V. Packkirisamy
    Published in: Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 1-24, 2025
    This publication focuses on optimizing cold spray process parameters for AA2024/Al2O3 coatings using response surface methodology and particle swarm optimization to reduce wear loss, making it valuable for aerospace and automotive industries.

  • Steady State Design and Thermal Characteristics of a Gas Turbine Blade with Lateral Holes Using Finite Element Analysis
    Authors: D. Sampathkumar, S.D.F. Azariah, A. Mohankumar, M. Mariappan
    Published in: MATEC Web of Conferences, 393, 03001, 2024
    This work presents a finite element analysis of a gas turbine blade’s steady-state design and thermal performance, with an emphasis on improving heat dissipation through lateral hole structures.

ASHOKKUMAR M, Materials Science, Young Researcher Award