Fully Funded Industry PhD Studentship with The Welding Institute (TWI)
Laser Assisted Cold Spray for Structural Repairs
Background
Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship with the world-leading Coatings and Surface Engineering Group at the University of Nottingham and The Welding Institute (TWI) . The project is part-funded through the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. TWI is a world-leading research and technology organisation and The Lloyd’s Register Foundation funds the advancement of engineer-related education and research and supports work that enhances the safety of life at sea, on land and in the air, because life matters. The student will be based at TWI, Cambridge, due to equipment availability.
The PhD Project
Cold spray is a technique where materials can be deposited by injecting powder particles into a high velocity, inert gas stream. When fast moving particles impact a substrate a metallic bonding takes place between particle and substrate.
This technology is increasingly being considered for use in the repair of structural components across a range of industry sectors (e.g. aerospace, marine, offshore and power generation). As material can be deposited directly from powder with no melting/solidification, oxygen-sensitive materials can be sprayed without any special precautions. Many of the challenges that arise when using fusion-based techniques are minimised, enhancing the safety of the repair operation.
However, cold spray deposition of high strength, corrosion resistant alloys (CRAs) remains a challenge and often mechanical properties of such deposits are poor. This PhD will investigate using hybrid laser-cold spray techniques to modify deformation during impact and improve the performance of deposited material.
The goal of the proposed PhD project is to investigate the effect of laser assistance on cold spray deposition behaviour in high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloys. This project will determine how the interplay between laser parameters, cold spray parameters and powder microstructure affect the mechanical properties of the deposit.
A suite of advanced characterisation techniques will be used to ascertain how materials properties develop and how structural performance can be improved. This could include (but is not limited to) residual stress by synchrotron XRD or neutron diffraction, high-resolution EBSD and SEM.
Qualification:
The candidate must have at least a UK 2.1 class degree (with 70% in the dissertation) in materials/mechanical/ manufacturing/aerospace engineering, or an equivalent classification. Applications are also welcome from graduates with an applied physics or chemistry degree.
Informal inquires, with a detailed CV and a cover letter, together with the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent directly to Prof. Tanvir Hussain ([Email Address Removed]).
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