EPSRC funded studentship - Variant Selection in Titanium Alloys

School of Materials

University of Manchester

Titanium alloys are widely used in the aerospace industry and for biomaterial applications because they are lightweight and still exhibit very high strength even at temperatures up to 600C. As many other engineering alloys, Titanium alloys are prone to develop strong textures during thermomechanical processing. More recently, the issue of microtexture development has become an important issue since it dictates the effective structural unit size and therefore mechanical properties such as crack initiation and fatigue. The aim of this project is to develop a detailed understanding of the beta to alpha phase transformation during thermomechanical processing of Titanium alloys. The project, which is part of a 5 University consortium and with support from Rolls-Royce and Timet, will combine detailed metallurgical studies using advanced elecron microscopy (EBSD) and in-situ phase transformation studies on high-energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction beam lines at European facilities such as the ESRF in Grenoble, France. The new understanding developed within this project will enable to optimize processing routes of Titanium alloys to limit any microtexture development and optimize mechanical properties.

This studentship is funded by the EPSRC, and will provide the equivalent of Home tuition fees and an EPSRC-level stipend of £12,940. Home and Overseas students can apply for this studentship.

You will need at least a 2.1 UK Honours degree, MSc or equivalent international degree in a materials science or related subject.

Please complete an online application form at www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply quoting the project reference number PhD/08/MP/01