PhD Studentship in The Influence of External Forces on Dendritic Deformation during Solidification

Alloys solidify as dendrites forming crystalline microstructures which play a key role in determining the performance and overall material properties of components. For example, turbine blades cast as a single crystal from Nickel superalloys exhibit exceptional properties, becoming the cornerstone of modern jet engines for aviation. However, defects during solidification can significantly degrade these properties, leading to failure. One phenomenon that is not well understood is the deformation of dendrites during solidification, despite being considered a key factor in the formation of many defects. A key example of this is the observed behaviour known as “crystal mosaicity”, where even within a structure that should otherwise be formed of a single crystal, deformations lead to changes in the crystallographic orientation of individual dendrites. This can compound so that over the length of a component undesirable grain boundaries form that can render the structure unusable.

This 4-year PhD study aims to investigate how external forces (e.g. electromagnetic, hydrodynamic, ultrasonic, gravitational) influence deformation of dendrites concurrently with solidification. The PhD will primarily be computational, utilising state-of-the-art numerical techniques and high-performance computing to predict deformation behaviour, but also examine unknown material properties such as the Young’s modulus of individual dendrites close to their liquidus temperature.

It will be closely aligned to the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership “Advanced Research into Crystallographic Anisotropy & Nucleation Effects in single crystals (ARCANE)”. As part of collaboration with the University of Birmingham, Oxford University and Rolls Royce Plc., there will be opportunities to work alongside world leaders in both academia and industry. This PhD studentship will join a cohort of students across the ARCANE project. More details of ARCANE can be found here: https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/X025454/1

As a member of the Computational Science and Engineering Group (CSEG), the successful applicant will join a team with many years of expertise in numerical modelling, ultrasonic cavitation, and material processing. As a measure of the team’s esteem, CSEG is core to the M³4Impact programme, a £9 million Expanding Excellence in England (E3) grant, won recently, to expand its world-leading research. The successful candidate would therefore be part of a dynamic growing research group, and so benefit from training and other initiatives funded by this grant.

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