X-ray synchrotron quantification of liquation cracking in metallic single crystals at high temperature

PhD Start date: September 2021

The interaction of solute with the dislocations in a metallic system dictates the strength and plasticity of that material across the entire temperature-stress window. At high temperatures, the mobility and interaction of solute and dislocations (under stress) within a given metallic crystal increases and the combined effect is essentially responsible for crack initiation and propagation. Recent investigations have shown that in the presence of solute rich liquid, the crack propagation is accelerated leading to a brittle-like failure in Al alloys. Understanding the mechanisms by which such failure happens in the presence of solute is crucial for development of advance manufacturing processes and alloys.

The primary objective of this project is to understand mechanisms of high temperature deformation and cracking in Al alloys with high and low mobility solutes. This will involve:
1. Designing model Al alloys with high and low mobility solutes and then using in house facilities to obtain single crystals of model alloys.
2. Designing a new high temperature cell and sample enclosure system to perform in situ experiments and freezing the high temperature microstructure. The cell design will be such that it can be used along with existing mechanical loading rigs at X-ray synchrotron facilities.
3. Using high speed in situ X-ray synchrotron imaging/tomography and diffraction tomography to capture the morphological aspects of cracking, track crystallographic orientation and quantify the crack initiation and propagation.
4. Using electron microscopy (in house) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (at partner organizations) to perform detailed elemental analysis on high temperature microstructures.

The successful candidate will have full support for performing and establishing key experiments from post-doctoral and technical staff at Leicester university and other collaborating partners across Europe. In situ synchrotron experiments will be performed at either Diamond Light Source (DLS), Oxford or European Synchrotron Radiation (ESRF) Facility, France, the successful candidate will receive full support in building research proposals for performing these experiments.

The results obtained from this investigation will have direct impact in understanding high temperature deformation behaviour in Al alloys. The mechanisms established can also be useful in understanding high temperature manufacturing and defect formation in Ni, Co and Fe based alloys.

Academic entry requirements:
UK Bachelor Degree with at least 2:1 in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent.
Evidence of English language comparable to ILETS 6.0 if applicable.

How to apply:
Please submit your online application: https://srs.le.ac.uk/sipr/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=REGH00FN&code2=0082

Include with your application:
CV
Degree Certificates and Transcripts
Details of any study currently being undertaken
Enter the supervisor name and project title in the Proposal Section (no proposal required)
Enter contact details of two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload reference letters if already obtained.
Evidence of English language.
In the funding section include: Ref EPSRC-Azeem

When you have submitted your application we will send you a personal statement form to complete separately.

Eligibility: UK/EU/International