Prediction of engineering properties of thermomechanically treated aluminium alloys

Applications are invited for one full-time EPSRC Industrial CASE (ICASE) PhD studentship for the project above at Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), Brunel University London, starting from 1st October 2020. BCAST is a speciality research centre in metallurgy and materials engineering with an international reputation and is the host of the national centre of excellence in liquid metal engineering (the Future LiME Research Hub). Our research covers fundamental research, technological development and industrial applications in materials processing, with a focus on solidification of metallic materials. See www.brunel.ac.uk/bcast for more information. The project is sponsored by Constellium, a global leading manufacturer of high-quality technically advanced aluminium products and systems.

The project concerns a new thermomechanical treatment that combines ageing and plastic deformation to enhance precipitation and improve mechanical properties of aluminium alloys. The aim of this project is to develop an engineering toolbox that will be used to predict engineering properties of the treated materials as a function of process parameters. This will be pursued by analysing the existing experimental data to identify the relevant trends, extending the phenomenological models of precipitation hardening to the new process, and adjusting the model parameters to fit the experimental data. The ultimate goal is to predict the engineering properties of the extruded products beyond the range of experimentally explored parameters, thus, to facilitate optimisation of the process. The project is also envisaged to provide additional practical insight for the design of high-strength aluminium components for light-weighting applications in the automotive industry.

The successful candidate will develop a phenomenological process model and implement it in the form of a software tool that can be used to predict the strength and elongation of treated aluminium alloys as a function of ageing time, ageing temperature, and the amount of plastic deformation. The project will be part of the activities of the Constellium University Technology Centre (UTC) established with BCAST. You will be interacting with researchers in BCAST and Constellium’s industrial research engineers. A strong background in physical metallurgy and process modelling is essential. Experience in precipitation hardening of aluminium alloys and computer programming is desirable.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Hamid Assadi ([Email Address Removed])

Eligibility
You should have or expect to receive a first degree at 2:1 or above in a suitable engineering and science discipline, e.g. metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or physics. A Master’s level qualification is desirable but not essential.
Applicants must be eligible for home tuition fees through either nationality, residency (living in the UK for at least three years and not wholly for educational purposes) or other connection to the UK.

How to apply
Please email the following to [Email Address Removed] AND [Email Address Removed] by 31st July 2020:
• Your up-to-date CV;
• Your single A4 page, single-spaced personal statement setting out why you are interested in undertaking this project;
• Your degree certificate(s) and transcript(s);
• Evidence of your English language capability to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, if appropriate;
• Names and contact details for two academic referees.