Advanced Microstructure Design to Improve Formability of Ultra High Strength Steels in Conventional and Flexible Roll Forming

This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The successful applicant will spend the 1st year at Coventry University and the following year at Deakin University and then the final 1.5 years at Coventry University.

The supervision team will be drawn from the two Universities.

This PhD project will be situated within the Sustainable Production and Consumption research cluster of the Centre for Business in Society (CBiS) which is the Faculty of Business and Law’s hub for specialist research which focuses on the ultimate goals of living within environmental limits and the attainment of social justice, through the delivery of responsible business and ethical consumption practices.

Our research takes a 'whole supply chain' approach, examining activities, attitudes and behaviours at different points in the lifecycle of products. We are especially interested in work which engages consumers through raising awareness of the imperative for more sustainable lifestyles and decision making.

Project detail
Ultra-High Strength Steels (UHSS) such as dual-phase ferritic-martensitic DP1000 or DP1200 grades have been recently developed to produce automotive components with increased impact safety and reduced weight. DP1000 and DP1200 steels contain high volume fraction of martensite and are therefore predominantly hot formed because at room temperature stress localisation at the ferrite/martensite interfaces causes early failure by interphase de-cohesion.

A unique Flexible Roll Forming (FRF) facility has been developed at Deakin University in order to expand formability of materials not normally formable at room temperature by introducing non-linear strain paths and reducing localised strain concentrations. This project will utilise the FRF facility at Deakin University to study the formability of DP type steels with varying content of annealed martensite that will be supplied by Tata Steel RD in the form of sheet material subjected to different heat treatments.

The main scientific objective of this project is to develop microstructural based FE model describing the role of varying strain paths on bendability of steels with varying volume fraction of martensite. Aim is to successfully realise conventional and flexible roll forming of UHSS DP steels.

Training and Development
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry criteria for applicants to PhD
Successful applicants will have:
• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree (second class honours upper division) in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average, and/or
• A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at 70%. In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at 70%.
• a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
• Strong industrial experience is desirable.
• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
• the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
• Hands-on experience with of Electron Microscopy and Electron Backscattered Diffraction is a plus
• Experience with FEA software such as ABAQUS or LS-DYNA is a plus.
• Essential to be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (England) and Deakin University (Australia)

How to apply
To find out more about the project please contact
• Dr Vit Janik ([Email Address Removed])
• Professor Richard Dashwood ([Email Address Removed]).
• Dr Mathias Weiss [Email Address Removed],
http://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/matthias-weiss
• Dr Buddhika Abeyrathna [Email Address Removed]
http://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/people/buddhika-abeyrathna

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

Please note that applications must be made to both Universities.

To apply please visit:
For Coventry University https://pgrplus.coventry.ac.uk/
For Deakin University http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/become-a-research-student/how-to-apply-research-degrees

To apply please visit:
For Coventry University https://pgrplus.coventry.ac.uk/
For Deakin University http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/become-a-research-student/how-to-apply-research-degrees

Application deadline: 30th June 2020

Interview dates will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: September 2020

Duration of study: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term

Enquiries may be addressed to: Dr Vit Janik ([Email Address Removed])