Cranfield University
Supervisors: Professor Phil Irving and Dr Giuseppe Dell'Anno
Duration of award: 3 years
Award type: PhD
Supported by AkzoNobel, a studentship up to £17,000 p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available
Cranfield University has an exciting research opportunity, fully funded by the multinational company AkzoNobel, for a motivated graduate with interests in materials engineering and applications.
Background
Many load-bearing metallic structures have integrity maintained over their service life with engineered polymeric coatings of elaborate and sophisticated microstructure. The mechanical performance of the coating must be matched to that of the structure as coating failure inevitably leads to structural failure, which can be catastrophic in environmental, energy and financial terms.
This project aims to identify critical aspects controlling coating behaviour and properties and to enable prediction of coating endurance in service. More specifically it will focus on definition of failure criteria for crack creation and growth, as well as identification of failure mechanisms under static and cyclic loading conditions.
The research will be both experimental and theoretical model development. The experimental work will combine both established and novel diagnostic testing of materials with the support of state-of-the-art Digital Image Correlation systems. The successful applicant will have access to finite element modelling facilities for development of numerical models of substrate / coating interactions.
This research will be amongst the first systematic studies into factors controlling coating endurance and there are therefore significant opportunities for the successful applicant to achieve publication success. This position will be based at Cranfield University's campus in Bedfordshire, with periods seconded to the sponsoring organisation to interact with researchers and use equipment at their location in Newcastle.
Closing date: 24 June 2011
Start date: ASAP
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a First or Second Class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such mechanical or materials engineering
Funding
* Supported by an AkzoNobel research grant, this studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. Non UK/EU students will have to pay the remainder of their tuition fees up front before commencing their studies. Applicants are also eligible for a bursary of up to £17,000 p.a. for three years dependent upon qualifications and experience.
How to apply
Please complete the application form at: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/applications/apply_pgresearch.pdf
You can request that we post one to you. Alternatively you may wish to apply online.
For more information please contact:
School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
W: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/studentships?id=jobs
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