The PhD studies will feature the use of state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical approaches to elucidate mechanistic pathways in the degradation of coated steel. There are various aspects of the degradation scheme where detailed assessment of the electrochemical, transport and spectro-physical properties of the systems will provide new insights into substrate-coating behaviour. Details of individual projects available within the programme are shown below. Please contact Professor Nicholas Harrison ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss them in more detail. Applications are open until the 14th May 2021, however, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates have been found.
Theoretical Modelling of Coating Delamination
This project will involve the development and implementation in a new code of a discrete stochastic 3-dimensional model of the corroding surface and degrading polymer. The model will combine the current understanding captured in generalised models of corrosion and polymer degradation into a model capable of simultaneously describing the corroding surface, the composition gradients in the confined solution and the degrading polymer. This will require sub-models of mass transport, water chemistry, electrochemistry, dissolution, precipitation and degradation. The strategy will be to adopt the local corrosion approximation recently developed within the group. In this model sub-volumes of the system are treated as if in pseudoequilibrium with their immediate surroundings. This allows mechanistic information captured from previous and parallel experiment and atomistic simulations to be incorporated.
The model will provide a description of the delamination process in its simplest realistic terms for the first time. It will be validated rigorously and adapted as necessary with a long term aim of developing a reliable predictive model.
Techniques: Electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics, model development, C++ and Python code Development
Further Information:
These PhD studentships will be part of the Collaborative Corrosion Cluster established in 2020. The cluster brings together two world-leading Universities and BASF’s expertise in coatings, paints and surface treatments to create an international centre of excellence for advanced corrosion research. The partnership between the University of Swansea (Prof. Geraint Williams), Imperial College London (Prof. Mary Ryan and Prof. Nicholas Harrison) and BASF Coatings (Prof. Patrick Keil) combines game changing capabilities in the advanced characterisation and modelling of materials ageing.
The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, decorative paints as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. The portfolio is completed by the “Innovation Beyond Paint” program which aims at developing new markets and businesses. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners’ needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2019, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €3.75 billion.
The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, is a leading supplier of applied surface treatments. Chemetall develops and manufactures tailor-made technology and system solutions for applied surface technology. The products protect metals from corrosion, facilitate forming and treatment, prepare parts optimally for the painting process and ensure excellent coating adhesion.
The products are used in a variety of industries and end markets such as automotive, aerospace, aluminium finishing and metal forming.
For more information about the Coatings and surface treatment divisions of BASF and their products, visit www.basf-coatings.com and www.chemetall.com.
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