Strength and surface microstructure of additively manufactured metal components, both as manufactured and after the impact of radiation/corrosion environmental factors

This project will primarily be based at: the Dalton Cumbrian Facility based in Cumbria (The University of Manchester)

Summary

Various additive manufacturing techniques for metals are now becoming commonplace. However, it would be a mistake to assume that additively manufactured components had the same material properties as their traditional counterparts. In this project, a range of material tests and multi-scale characterisations will be applied to standard, low-cost 3D-printed (additively manufactured) metallic components. Additionally, these components will be subjected to the aggressive environments commonly found in the nuclear industry, such as corrosive liquids and radiation. Changes in the surface microstructure, surface activation and radiolytic gas production due to these environmental insults will be analysed. Effects of different print strategies will be investigated with a view to improving material performance.

About GREEN

The GREEN Centre for Doctoral Training (GREEN CDT) is a consortium of five universities: The University of Manchester, Lancaster University, The University of Leeds, The University of Liverpool and The University of Sheffield, which aims to train the next generation of expert nuclear scientists and engineers.

The four-year PhD programme invites students to attend taught courses (Year 1) in various subjects of nuclear technology followed by subject specific training (Year 1), then progress to the PhD-level research activities described in the Summary (Year 2-Year 4)