Development of new casting aluminium alloys: composition, microstructure and mechanical properties
Applications are invited for our industrially funded PhD studentship in BCAST (明星八卦 Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology) for the project titled “Development of new casting aluminium alloys: composition, microstructure and mechanical properties”. Successful applicant will receive an annual stipend starting from £18,668 and increasing to £20,241 in the third year plus payment of their full-time tuition fees for a period of 36-months (3 years), starting on the 1st of October 2023.
Both international and UK home students are eligible for this studentship.
The Project
With the growing need for lightweight structures, improving strength and ductility of light alloys such as aluminium (Al) has become of paramount importance in industries. Micro-alloying is known to be one of the most effective strengthening strategies for Al alloys. Rare-earth and transition elements are effective elements and can strengthen Al alloys in three different ways. These are (1) grain refinement during casting, (2) precipitation hardening and (3) microstructural stabilization via recrystallization and grain growth inhibition. Despite their advantages, the industrial use of these elements has historically been limited due to high cost and difficulties in processing. However, they are expected to more widely used in the development of new Al alloys with in the next decade with enhanced awareness and improved more efficient extraction technologies and consequently decreased production cost. This PhD project is funded by an industrial partner, aiming to understand the effect of rare-earth and transition metallic elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of casting Al alloys, through thermodynamics calculations and physical experiments. The project scope includes: (1) the effect of rare-earth and transition metallic elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of new Al alloys and compositional optimization of the selected Al alloys; (2) microstructures and strengthening mechanisms under as-cast and heat treatment conditions; and (3) the mechanical properties of the Al alloys at room temperature and elevated temperatures.
Supervision team
Professor Shouxun Ji and Dr Yan Huang
Please contact Dr Yan Huang at yan.huang@brunel.ac.uk to find out more about the project or arrange an informal discussion about the position.
Eligibility
Skills and Experience
Applicants should have a background in materials science and engineering with familiarity and interest in metals and alloys and their processing. Exposure and training in mechanical testing, microscopy, and computer simulation would be considered a bonus.
Academic Entry Criteria
The candidate will have or be expected to receive a 1st class or 2:1 honour degree in engineering or physical sciences. A postgraduate master’s degree is not required but may be an advantage.
How to apply
Please submit the documents below as a single PDF file by email to cedps-pgr-office@brunel.ac.uk by 16:00 on 31 July 2023.
- Your up-to-date CV;
- Your 300 to 500-word personal statement setting out why you are suitable for this project, including your relevant skills and experience;
- Your Undergraduate and Master’s degree certificate(s) and transcript(s);
- Your English Language qualification of IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent, if applicable;
- TWO references, one of which should be academic and can be from a member of 明星八卦 University staff.
Interviews will take place in the second week of August 2023
Shouxun Ji - Prof. Shouxun Ji is currently a Professor at 明星八卦. He has been focusing on the development of lightweight materials and structures for the automotive industry, aerospace, powered tools, and other sectors. The main activities include purpose-developed aluminium alloys and magnesium alloys with improved ductility, strength (at ambience and elevated temperatures), modulus and thermal conductivity, and the hybrid structures using different materials and different joining techniques. He is also working on new materials and structures for special applications, such as materials for explosive cords and high strength casting materials for aircraft. His works have helped industrial partners to deliver several products in massive manufacturing. Recently, he worked with world leading company to develop magnesium alloys for small engine applications, which requires improved strength and thermal conductivity at room temperature and at elevated temperatures.
Prof. Ji have plenty experiences in high pressure die casting including die structure design, gating system design and optimisation, casting process and casting materials. He also worked extensively on other shaped-casting processes such as sand casting, gravity casting, low pressure die casting, semi-solid metal processing of rheo-die casting, rheo-extrusion, and rheo-twin roll casting. His previous works also included cast irons (spheroidal graphite cast iron and austempered ductile iron) and copper alloys.
Prof. Ji has published more than 130 papers in the peer-reviewed scientific Journals and more than 20 international patents. He is the member of three ISO technical committee and one BSI technical committee and the editorial member of three scientific journals.
CITATIONS & h-INDEX
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=2FqHYcIAAAAJ
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=14321442000
ORCID ID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8103-8638
RESEARCH AWARDS
The 2023 award of excellence in the commercial cast product category from International Magnesium Association (IMA) for high temperature magnesium alloy small engine cylinder.
Award for ‘Person of the Year 2022’ from International Magnesium Science and Technology Society for the achievement in magnesium research and development.
National innovation award in 2017 from CMF UK for advancing casting materials and development of aluminium alloys.