Deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline material studied by using Diffraction Contrast Tomography

School of Materials

University of Manchester

This research project will aim to undertake a fundamental study of the early stages of plastic deformation in two types of polycrystalline alloys, low interstitial steel and commercially pure titanium, by using diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) on high-energy synchrotron x-ray radiation beam lines. Diffraction contrast tomography is a novel polycrystal grain and orientation mapping technique, which allows one to simultaneously characterize nondestructively and in 3D the grain shape and crystallographic orientation of a large number of grains in a polycrystalline material. This technique has been implemented at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France, very recently and substantial progress in terms of data analysis has led to the reconstruction of 1000 grains in metal samples. To date, all diffraction contrast tomography work has been on fully recrystallised and undeformed. The aim of this project is to take DCT to the next level enabling the measurement the development of elastic strain between individual grains during the onset of plastic deformation. This elastic strain develops due to the crystallographic anisotropy of grains and can be used to study deformation mechanisms.

Candidates are required to have a degree of minimum classification 2:1 (upper second equivalent) in Physics, Materials, Engineering or a related discipline. Please note that funding is available to support a PhD student for 4. It is envisaged that the student will spend his/her first year in Manchester and the following years in Grenoble.