Prof X Zhou
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
This PhD is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Materials for Demanding Environments [M4DE CDT]; it is sponsored by AkzoNobel, and will commence September 2018.
A PhD studentship is available in association with AkzoNobel/International Paint and the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Materials for Demanding Environments (M4DE) at The University of Manchester. Successful candidates will participate fully in the M4DE’s bespoke training programme and will join an established strategic research partnership between AkzoNobel and the University of Manchester
Protective coatings (“paints”) are ubiquitous - almost all materials are made suitable for purpose or given function by the application of coatings. In the UK the coatings industry directly contributes over £11 bn to the economy supporting manufacturing worth more than £150 bn. The annual costs of corrosion damage in the UK lies in the range of 2-3% of Gross National Product (~£65 bn) and leads to premature loss of amenity in infrastructure and equipment; hence to environmental damage through accelerated extraction and resource use. Protective organic coatings (i.e. paints) are highly cost effective in limiting early materials damage due to corrosion however these are complex products where the underlying mechanistic links between the formulation and performance are lacking.
The research will study how the adhesion and performance of protective paint coatings is influenced by fabrication and manufacturing processes including mechanical rolling, machining and grinding. Such processes commonly produce altered surface and near-surface layers on engineering materials. Industry generally uses expensive and environmentally unfriendly methods to remove such layers before application of protective coatings. However, there are difficulties in controlling removal so elucidating the detrimental influences of ultra-fine grains, grain boundaries, oxide particles, precipitation and porosity etc., on coating performance is important. So, by understanding the mechanisms of protection, novel environmentally friendly processes and protective coatings can be developed. This project will focus on elucidating the surface micro- and nano-structure, and alloying chemistry, of steels and light alloys using high-resolution analytical microscopy.
Technical training will be provided by the CDT to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills to undertake your research effectively.
Students will liaise with an AkzoNobel industrial supervisor and will also have opportunities to spend time at AkzoNobel’s facilities in the UK and EU.
Candidates are welcome to discuss projects informally with the project supervisor Xiaorong Zhou ( [Email Address Removed]) or with Stuart Lyon (AkzoNobel Chair in Corrosion Control: [Email Address Removed]) who is academic director of the partnership with AkzoNobel. For more information please also visit:
The School of Materials: http://www.materials.manchester.ac.uk/
CDT in M4DE: http://www.m4de.manchester.ac.uk/
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees and annual maintenance payments of £17,000 tax free.
Students with a first class/2.1 degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Physics, Chemistry or another aligned science or engineering subject are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until a candidate is selected; therefore candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Funding is only available for UK / EU candidates.
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