PhD Studentship: Material Dissolution in Aqueous Environments for Fusion Applications

Proposed start date: 21/09/2024 Duration of project/funding: 4 years Studentship will provide fees and stipend at the UKRI rate for home students. Stipend for academic year 2024/25 will be £19,237.

We offer an exciting PhD opportunity in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, exploring galling performance in Co- and Fe-Based Alloys for nuclear plants. The PhD studentship comes with a competitive stipend including potential visits to academic institutions in Australia. Join us for impactful research at the nexus of academia and industry.

Introduction:

Hard facing materials based on Co-alloys have long been utilised in nuclear power plants for their exceptional galling and wear resistance. However, the activation of Co-60 and its consequential out-of-core radiation has prompted the exploration of alternative materials. Fe-based alloys emerge as promising candidates, exhibiting potential for enhanced performance and reduced radiation concerns. This PhD research seeks to comprehensively understand and compare the galling behaviours of Co-based (Stellite 6) and Fe-based hard facing alloys in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, crucial for their application in nuclear power plants.

Research Context:

The project will leverage a dedicated galling rig, housed in the Royce Institute at the University of Manchester, designed explicitly for conducting tests under realistic plant conditions. This purpose-built rig ensures precision in investigating the galling behaviour of alloys in service-relevant environments while accurately controlling water chemistry. Through systematic experimentation, the study aims to establish correlations between galling performance, microstructure, and environmental interactions, shedding light on the tribological and oxidation properties of these alloys.

Aims and Objectives:

This PhD research aims to achieve a mechanistic understanding of galling performance differences between Co-based and Fe-based alloys in plant-relevant conditions, with a specific focus on the precursor events of galling. These events include oxide formation and its fracture, localized deformation and adhesive wear under cyclic conditions which simulate the operating conditions. The objectives include the cutting-edge analysis of tribo-corrosion interaction, advanced materials characterization utilizing state-of-the-art facilities at the Royce Institute, exploration of the interplay between oxide formation, temperature, and galling resistance, and the elucidation of complex cyclic interactions in realistic valve operating conditions.

Expected Outcomes:

This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of tribological and oxidation properties of these alloys but also provides insights crucial for the development of more robust alloys. The findings aim to enhance the performance and longevity of components subjected to challenging operational conditions, thereby contributing to advancements in nuclear power plant technology.

Benefit:

This PhD studentship offers a competitive industrial stipend uplift from the EPSRC base rate. The supervisory team, consisting of two academics along with industrial supervisors, will facilitate the translation of research into an industrial context. Rolls-Royce can also provide an internship opportunity during the PhD. Additionally, there is the possibility of visiting academic institutions in Australia, offering a broader perspective on the research.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Fabio Scenini at Fabio.Scenini@manchester.ac.uk

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