PhD Studentship - Development of New Generation Corrosion-resistant Aluminium Alloys

No. of positions: 1

Applications are invited for a full time PhD studentship in research on new generation corrosion-resistant aluminium alloys at the Department of Materials, The University of Manchester. The successful applicant will receive an annual tax free stipend (bursary), set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) plus payment of their full time Home tuition fees for 4 years. This project is open to home students.

Advanced aluminium alloys have a key role in the aerospace and automotive industries for structural components. However, the increasing global demand for aluminium alloys will only be met in the near term by the circulation of secondary metals, which inevitably introduces impurities to alloys. Increased additions of impurities like iron or deliberate additions like copper and nickel can be detrimental to corrosion resistance particularly in the accelerated tests used for qualification with automotive OEMs. This means that there is a strong research incentive to improve the corrosion performance of wrought high strength aluminium alloys in response to this demand and to formulate these alloys from end-of-life recycled aluminium to reduce embedded carbon level to below 2 tonnes CO2e/tonne of aluminium as a supplied component and eventually to Net Zero carbon. This project is concerned with development of high strength aluminium alloys designed to provide better performance compared with existing alloys. The properties of this alloy depend on careful control of the microstructure, in particular the second phase particles and recrystallization. The project aims to understand the complex interactions between alloy chemistry, processing, microstructure and performance. The alloy microstructure will be characterised by using advanced high resolution electron microscopy. The relationship between the fabrication process parameters and the microstructure of the alloys will be investigated. The assessment of performance will be based on correlative accelerated laboratory testing and electrochemical measurements. The newly developed X-ray and electron-based nanotomography will also be employed to spatially determine the microstructural features that are responsible for the initiation and propagation of alloy degradation.

This project provides a unique opportunity to combine pioneering academic research with industrial experience. In addition to the access to state-of-the-art facilities, the student also has the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills and to work in a team environment involving over 10 PhD students and researchers, leading academics and industrial experts. The group runs regular seminars and social events. The industrial collaborators will work closely with the student during the project and opportunities exist for gaining exposure to the industrial manufacturing environment in Europe.

Informal enquires may be addressed to Prof. Xiaorong Zhou via email to xiaorong.zhou@manchester.ac.uk

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in materials science/engineering, metallurgy, physics, chemistry, or a related subject.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor, Prof. Xiaorong Zhou via email to xiaorong.zhou@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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