Surface Oxide formation for Differentiated New Steel Grades

Sponsor Company: Tata Steel

PROJECT OVERVIEW
New alloy developments provide routes to new markets for steel, but also pose challenges as these developments are often incremental and time-consuming. New methodologies in rapid alloy protoyping and advanced characterisation enables a faster route to developing and introducing disruptive new grades, which was identified to be a key area for future investigation in a recently launched EPSRC proposal.

As automotive lightweighting is key for emission reduction in conventional combustion vehicles and range extension in electric vehicles, new steel grades based on the C-Mn-Si-Cr compositional space provides the next generation enhanced ductility ultra-high strength cold rolled and galvanised automotive steel. As part of the development of new steel products, knowledge of oxidation occurring during processing is crucial to guarantee the surface quality of flat steels. The alloying elements added to the steel affect both the kinetics of iron oxide formation and the formation of complex oxides in the (sub)surface at high temperatures. In addition to compositional effects, the changes introduced in the microstructure during processing also modify the oxide kinetics.

The overall aim of this project is to develop a protocol for using the small-scale Rapid Alloy Processing (RAP) Route at WMG to imitate the oxidation conditions in the processing route. Oxidation kinetics and mechanisms will be investigated using a range of advanced electron and ion-microscopy techniques. The data and insights obtained will feed directly into ongoing modelling activities on (oxide) phase stability and consideration will be given to implementing the methods developed into the industrial small-scale experimental route. The ultimate objective being to harness the benefit of increased throughput and capability for assessment of oxide scale formation and generation of the experimental data necessary for derivation of the constants required to feed predictive models currently in development.

ELIGIBILITY
We are actively seeking an enthusiastic individual to join the team at WMG, Warwick with the following entry requirements and expectations:

- A Bachelor/master’s degree in any of the physical sciences (chemistry, physics, engineering, materials, maths/stats). Preferably some background knowledge on either corrosion, microscopy and/or steel.

TO APPLY
If you would like to be considered for this position or have any questions please complete our online enquiry form using the "Apply Online" button below.