This project sits within the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Advanced Metallic Systems - a distinct research centre formed by a partnership between the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester and the I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Centre, Dublin. Our doctoral students undertake a different doctoral programme, which includes a compulsory intensive technical and professional skills training programme throughout the 4-year project. For more information on our training programme content, aimed at converting graduates from a non-materials topic into metallurgy, please review our website (linked below).
The project is based across both the Department of Materials and is sponsored by Rolls Royce.
Zirconium alloys are key materials in the manufacture of small nuclear powerplants, where they are used for their excellent corrosion resistance and neutronic properties, but also for their excellent strength. These exceptional properties are dependent on the microstructure of the alloys, i.e. the structure at the micrometer scale. This makes manufacturing using strong Zr alloys a major challenge, since as well as achieving the desired final shape, it is crucial that the microstructure of the alloy is controlled during their processing and manufacture. Because of their high strength, dual-phase Zr alloys are processed at high temperatures, where the microstructure changes continuously through a variety of different mechanisms including crystallographic slip, recrystallization and phase transformation. Although these mechanisms are well understood on their own, their interactions during processing and manufacture make predicting the microstructure at the end of the process very difficult. For example, one of the major microstructural characteristics that needs controlling is the crystallographic texture, which is the crystallographic alignment of the grains in a component. Research has shown that the texture is affected by all these mechanisms and is not purely a consequence of slip induced lattice rotation. To be able to control texture during processing therefore means understanding the relative importance of these different mechanisms. To further add to the complexity, typical industrial processes involve thermal transients and multiple deformation paths, which vary across a component. This produces a very large set of possible conditions which simply cannot all be studied empirically. In this project we will use statistical methods to combine results from computational modelling, which use our current best understanding of the relevant physical processes and experimental results, both historical and new to develop a framework for predicting textures in dual phase Zr components.
The aim is to develop a framework that can be used to make rapid texture predictions during processing and manufacture. Unlike traditional simulation approaches, this data enhanced framework will provide uncertainties alongside the texture predictions, and can be extended as our computational modelling capability and experimental database grow over time.
Alongside statistical modelling, the project offers opportunities to develop skills in physical materials modelling and microstruture characterisation, using electron microscopy and diffraction. The student will join a large group of researchers working on microstructure prediction in Manchester and collaborate with other researchers in the Turing Institute and at manufacturing research centres. The projects include regular meetings with the industrial sponsor and the opportunity to work at Rolls-Royce for short periods. The project will be carried out at the Materials Performance Centre, part of the Department of Materials and one the centres of the Nuclear Dalton Institute at the University of Manchester. The centre has extensive expertise in microstructural characterization, metallurgy, oxidation, and structural integrity of nuclear components and benefits from the access to state-of-the-art material characterization facilities and autoclaves for replicating nuclear environments via the Henry Royce Institute. The successful candidate will acquire skills in materials performance and will become proficient in the materials and microstructural characterization, which include secondary electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and other advanced characterization techniques.
Funding:
This is funded by EPSRC scholarship; your home tuition fees will be paid and you will receive an annual stipend of £23,622.
The funding is available to UK nationals or none-UK nationals with indefinite Leave to Remain only.
How to apply:
You will need to submit an online application through our website here: https://uom.link/pgr-apply
When you apply, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• You will be asked to supply contact details for two referees on the application form
• English Language certificate
You must contact the main supervisor to discuss the application before you apply. The email address for Dr Frankel is [Email Address Removed].uk.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Metallic Systems is a partnership between industry and the Universities of Sheffield, Manchester and I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Centre, Dublin. CDT students undertake a 4-year doctorate with an in-depth compulsory technical and professional skills training programme. Please review our training programme, application process and full entry requirements at (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/metallicscdt). Please note, application is only via the University of Manchester (see website), and general enquiries can be made to the CDT ([Email Address Removed]). For more information on the research scope of the project please contact Professor Philip Frankel ([Email Address Removed]).
Eligibility:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.