PhD Studentship: Improving Aero-Engine Sealing Efficiency

Project Title: Improving Aero-Engine Sealing Efficiency

This project is in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and will carried out within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield with an annual tax-free stipend of £22,000 for a period of 3.5 years.

In aero-engine design, ensuring gas flow is not lost through leakage, is an essential requirement for efficient performance and low specific fuel consumption, and is achieved by having very tight clearances between static and rotating parts. This requirement is met for rotating blades and shafts by using abradable linings. These linings feature throughout the engine, and for example in the compressor, are used on the inside of the casing, allowing tight clearances whilst providing a soft material for the blades to cut into, should the blades come into contact with it as the engine flexes during flight.

Unfortunately, in some cases abradable linings are not cut effectively by the blade, and material transfers from the liner, adhering to the blade tip. This material transfer leads to grooves forming on the liner, and disrupts air flow causing a decrease in engine efficiency. Building on previous work characterising this wear mechanism at Sheffield, this project will investigate at engine representative speeds, novel abradable materials designed to alleviate the issue, with the aim of informing a future engine test.

Testing will be undertaken on a novel high-speed test platform for abradable linings at the University, within a team of three existing PhD students researching different aspects of abradable materials. This studentship is closely aligned to a range of on-going Rolls-Royce development programmes leading to a close working relationship and will involve regular meetings with Rolls-Royce stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

This studentship is available to home students. You should have, or be expected to achieve, a first or upper second class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline.

Further Information

The main supervisor on this project will be Prof. Matt Marshall, with additional guidance provided by the Surface Engineering group within Rolls-Royce. For further information about this studentship please email Matt Marshall (m.b.marshall@shef.ac.uk).

This studentship covers the cost of tuition fees and provides an annual tax-free stipend of £22,000 per annum, for a period of 3.5 years.

To apply please use our standard on-line PhD application form including your CV, two academic references and relevant transcripts, and indicate on your form that you are replying to this advert, or email m.i.boulis@sheffield.ac.uk for further guidance on applying.

Closing Date: 31 May 2023

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