Understanding the influence of microstructure on micromechanical behaviour of additively manufactured titanium alloys

Metallic 3D printing – additive manufacturing (AM) – is now being utilised to build large-scale titanium components for aerospace industries. Compared to typical wrought processing routes for titanium alloys, AM provides a significant reduction in energy, cost, and material waste through manufacturing of near-net shapes. To achieve the large-scale components required for aerospace industries, wire-fed AM processes that use plasma heat sources are often used as these provide kg/h build rates and no restriction on part sizes.

However, due to intrinsic titanium alloy metallurgy and the cyclical heating of printed material during layer-by-layer AM deposition, the macro and microstructures of these parts contain large-scale heterogeneities that are detrimental to material performance. This reduced performance is linked to the micro-mechanical behaviour that is currently not well understood.

This PhD project will first investigate the influence of microstructure heterogeneities on plasticity and bulk mechanical behaviour in AM titanium alloy parts, using nanoscale digital image correlation. This knowledge will then be applied to the design of heat treatments to engineer AM microstructures that target specific material property specifications related to aerospace applications. This will involve use of the world-leading electron microscopy facilities at the University of Manchester to carry out in-situ mechanical-testing experiments in the microscopes, to produce high-quality and time-resolved data.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-fap

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).