Metals in extreme environments: Effects of multiple high velocity impacts

This fully funded doctoral research opportunity will investigate the effect of multiple high velocity impacts on the properties of aluminium and titanium alloys. Control of the impact conditions will ensure that complete material failure is not induced, instead the evolution and effect of the damage within the materials will be studied.

Impacts can generate spall failure where a scab of material from the back face of the impacted body becomes detached from the bulk. For this project, gas guns will be used to fire samples at 100’s m/s. The first impact will be tailored to generate damage, internal voids, which are the first stages of spall failure. But the main research focus will be on the effect of a second impact which will then recompact the material. Pre and post-test materials characterisation, along with in-situ diagnostics and computer modelling will be used to gain an overall picture of the phenomena.

The insights gained from this research would benefit both security and industrial requirements. The former being blast mitigation. The latter being, for example, shock-welding one of the potential technologies put forward to meet the demand for higher requirements for welding technology. The project will involve close collaboration with the industrial partner.

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit an applicant with a strong materials science background.