Solidification Modelling Validation and Microstructure Analysis for Advanced Ultrasonic Testing of Austenitic Welds

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.
In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/
Project Detail:
Applications are invited for a full time National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) PhD studentship in the field of structural integrity, to commence on Jan 2018. The NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI. The PhD involves an in-depth exploration of a research topic within the field of structural integrity. It is awarded by Loughborough University, to students who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of structural integrity and who make a distinct and original contribution to knowledge within the discipline. The PhD programme combines academic excellence with the industrial experience of TWI across the varied disciplines that are essential to structural integrity.

The project aims to improve the ultrasonic inspection of austenitic and ferritic welds to locate flaws and cracks in the welds during manufacturing and during service. Precise non-destructive ultrasonic inspection is required to ensure the safety of the welds. It is a well-known and yet to solve problem that the solidification of the austenitic weld is directional and can generate large grains with texture and grain boundaries that will adversely affect the sound propagation through the austenitic welds and hence provides false information on the size and position of the flaws and cracks.

Key aspects for evaluating the performance of ultrasonic testing is the assessment of the level of noise generated during testing, the capability for flaw detection and characterisation, and the generation of false calls.

The PhD programme will run in parallel with the TWI project and will aim to support the correlation between the material and welding parameters with the inspection performance. The aim will be to develop and study a methodology for assessing the effect of the material on the sound propagation and by pushing forward the capabilities of advanced ultrasonic imaging techniques.
Find out more:
More information about the PhD program of NSIRC can be found at
http://www.nsirc.co.uk/degrees/phd/
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, material science or a related subject. A Masters level will be an advantage. The successful candidates should be highly motivated, able to work within a team and have good communication skills.
Contact details:
For more information about the project contact Dr. Yau Yau Tse ([Email Address Removed]), Dr. Channa Nageswaran ([Email Address Removed]) and Dr. Capucine Carpentier (capucine.carpentier @twi.co.uk)
How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘Department of Materials’

Application details:
Reference number: MP-YYT-1724
Start date: 01/02/2018
Closing date: 10/12/2017
Interview date: 17/12/2017

Please quote reference number: MP-YYT-1724