Fully Funded EPSRC iCASE PhD Scholarship: Hot Corrosion-Fatigue Behaviour of Nickel Superalloys

Funding providers: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Rolls Royce

Subject areas: Materials Science & Engineering; Advanced Aerospace Alloys

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2023 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Project description: 

As aeroengine manufacturers strive for higher efficiencies, the demand for materials to operate in extreme environments continue to provide an exciting challenge. Rolls-Royce are at the forefront of engine and material technologies that provide clean and safe solutions to meet the planet’s vital power needs and are aiming to extend their understanding of hot corrosion-fatigue behaviour on new nickel superalloy compositions that are being developed for disc rotor applications.

Hot corrosion-fatigue is a complex phenomenon that can result in the surface and mechanical degradation of metals and alloys and must therefore be well understood to be mitigated. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of fatigue cycle variables, operating temperature, contaminant composition, surface condition and cleaning on the development of hot corrosion-fatigue damage and crack nucleation.  It is most effective to conduct such investigations in a controlled laboratory environment to isolate the effects of these variables and to characterise their significance on fatigue life.

The student will be required to conduct advanced mechanical testing in corrosive environments, in-depth microscopy and analysis, along with data interpretation and theoretical research, to provide a holistic understanding of the mechanism and feed into material design models.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. 

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. 

Due to the nature of research with the industry collaborator, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £17,668 for 2022/23) for four years.

Additional research expenses will also be available. 

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