Fully Funded M2A EngD Scholarship: Development of new surface treatments for automotive utilising chemcoater

Start Date: October 2018

Sponsoring Company: Tata Steel

Automotive steel products are manufacture in the UK by Tata Steel and sold globally. A typical product consists of an annealed steel strip with an applied zinc coating. Subsequent organic and inorganic coatings can be applied to the steel following annealing or galvanising using a coating system known as the chemcoater. These products are applied in order to add value to the steel or make the product more attractive to the customer. Coatings that can be applied might include those that prevent corrosion, improve weldability and lubricity, enhance surface passivation or reduce galling with the ultimate aim of adding value to the steel product. This project seeks to expand on this by exploring both novel coatings that can be applied to the steel using the chemcoater system and the methods of deposition.

The aims of the project relate to developing new surface treatments that can be deposited using the chemcoater system at Tata Steel. The method of deposition will be studied in order to unlock additional novel functionalities as well as investigate conventional coatings that can be applied more effectively at higher speed, at greater uniformity and lower thickness whilst maintaining the necessary function. Coatings that can be applied might include those that prevent corrosion, improve weldability and lubricity, surface passivation and reduced galling as well as more exotic coatings that may add value.

The aims of the project are to:

- Identify and characterise existing products and deposition methods that are currently applied using the existing chemcoater system at Tata Steel.
- Investigate and develop novel coating systems that may add new functionality and value to the steel product, in particular where cost can be reduced during subsequent customer processing.
- Trial new deposition methods such as inkjet and slot-die printing that can be used to deliver functional coatings onto the steel surface using an enhanced chemcoater system.

The Athena SWAN Charter recognises work undertaken by institutions to advance gender equality. The College of Engineering is an Athena SWAN bronze award holder and is committed to addressing unequal gender representation.

Eligibility
Candidates should hold a degree in Materials, Mechanical Engineering or Chemistry with a minimum classification level of 2:1 or equivalent relevant experience.

We would normally expect the academic and English Language requirements to be met by point of application. For details on the University’s English Language entry requirements, please visit – http://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/englishlanguagerequirements/

For further information on eligibility please visit our website.