Project Description:
The landscaping report of the UK Fusion Materials Roadmap 2021-2040, has identified a major R&D area, that is to develop the next-generation high-temperature steels with engineering assurance for enabling a fusion power plant. The deuterium-tritium fusion reactor environment represents one of the most demanding environments the engineering materials will face, with the combination of elevated temperatures at or above 650oC under loads (e.g. creep and fatigue) and significant neutron irradiation.
Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels containing high number density of nano-oxide particles can effectively pin the sub-micron ferritic grains rendering enhanced high-temperature creep performance, and act as sinks/traps for irradiation defects providing excellent resistance to fusion neutron-induced property degradation. However, a major challenge that prevents the wider adoption of ODS steels is the high cost, inhomogeneous microstructure and anisotropic property associated with the powder metallurgy fabrication at the present time. In partnership with the UKAEA, this PhD project will focus on the process control of ODS steels fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to achieve a better microstructure control and high-temperature mechanical performance. The overarching aim is to understand mechanisms and predict densification behaviour and microstructure evolution during HIP process of ODS steels in order to obtain the optimum microstructural and mechanical properties at 650oC and above.
The research is ultimately aligned to both the UK and global initiatives addressing two areas of the Engineering Net Zero and Sustainable Manufacturing. The success of the PhD project will contribute to our knowledge about two of the cross-sector materials degradation mechanisms (e.g. creep and fatigue), and help creating technological solutions to decarbonise our economy and society.
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain at least a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better, or overseas equivalent in mechanics of materials, materials science, mechanical engineering or relevant subject area.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
In addition, successful applicants should meet the following:
- Familiar with mechanics of materials (or physical metallurgy of steels or relevant metallic materials)
- Preferably with demonstrable experience of analytical and/or numerical materials modelling, via Matlab, computer programming/coding, and/or numerical simulation software (e.g. ABAQUS)
- Working experience in operating the state-of-the-art electron microscope facilities and performing data analysis
Start date: As soon as possible
Informal enquiries
Project / Funding Enquiries: [Email Address Removed]
Application enquiries to [Email Address Removed]
Please refer to out website for full details and information about how to apply
https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/eng-chen-oxide-dispersion
Start date 1 May 2024.
Previous applicants need not apply
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