A comparative study between binder jetting and powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes for metallic materials

Self funded project October 2022/3 / April 2023 / July 2023 start, 3 years duration.

This PhD project will explore the capabilities of novel metal binder jetting additive manufacturing process for metallic materials, in particular the materials that are compatible for metal injection moulding (MIM) process. The surface integrity, mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of the built parts will be compared against parts produced via powder bed fusion process from equivalent materials.

The School of Engineering at Cardiff University has recently acquired a research and development focussed metal binder jetting machine which is the 1^st of its kind in the UK. Metal binder jetting has profound opportunities for producing intricate mesoscale parts for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, marine and aesthetic sectors. The student will have the opportunity to work along the world-class research groups in Cardiff and to interact with other eminent UK universities and industry.

The student will be working within the High-Value Manufacturing Group’s two major research labs - Additive Manufacturing and Micro and Nano-manufacturing. The student will receive training in the following experimental techniques:

·    Powder bed fusion process.

·    Metal binder jetting process.

·    Surface and mechanical integrity analysis.

Throughout the project, the scientific communication skills of the student will be developed through presentation at conferences and preparing scientific articles for publication.

Academic Criteria

Candidates should hold a good bachelor’s degree (first or upper second-class honours degree) or an MEng/MSc degree in a relevant engineering/science subject.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

How to apply

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering ) including;

·      an upload of your CV

·      a personal statement/covering letter

·      two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)

·      Current academic transcripts

Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date of

PLEASE CHOOSE - 1^st April 2023, 1^st July 2023 or 1^st October 2022/2023.

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference xxxx

Contact for further information

Please contact Dr Debajyoti Bhaduri (BhaduriD@cardiff.ac.uk) to informally discuss this opportunity and engineering-pgr@cardiff.ac.uk for any questions regarding eligibility and recruitment.

Deadline for applications

1st December 2023 - We may however close this opportunity earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.