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Supervisor: Professor Richard Dashwood

Aim

To optimise the processing of the existing A20x alloy for extrusion.  To identify and evaluate an alternate commercial alloy composition which will be reinforced with TiB₂ to obtain product with required target application properties through extrusion processing. In both cases comparison against an un-reinforced variant will be conducted.

Plan

Task 1: Constant Strain Rate Compression Testing

Compression testing of A20x (along with an unreinforced variant) will be conducted over a range of temperatures and strain rates to evaluate its thermomechanical behaviour. Post testing heat treatment will be used to evaluate the relationship between processing, microstructure and properties. The effect of homogenisation treatment prior to hot working will also be assessed.

Task 2: Extrusion Simulation

Using the data gathered in task 1, finite element simulation of the extrusion process will be performed to identify the optimum processing conditions.

Task 3: Extrusion Processing

Using conditions identified in task 2 a targeted matrix of extrusion conditions will be used to produce simple and complex sections for further testing and microstructural characterisation.

Task 4: Heat Treatment Optimisation

Using the product from task 3 hardness testing will be used to ascertain the optimum solution treatment and artificial aging conditions.

Task 5:  Mechanical Property and Microstructural Evaluation

Room temperature and elevated temperature static and dynamic properties will be evaluated for materials extruded in task 3 and heat-treated following the optimised process identified in Task 4. Grain size and texture measurement will be performed.

Task 6: Alternate Alloy Evaluation

A commercial wrought alloy will be identified that has potential for property improvement through TiB₂ refinement, that will be compatible with extrusion processing, and will have the required properties for the targeted application.  This alloy (both reinforced and unreinforced) will be subjected to experimental plan detailed in tasks 1-5. 

Awards available: 1 award available

Funding Details: Fees and maintenance at RCUK level

Length of Award: 3.5 years (PhD)

Application Details: Please view the following page for full details about this award: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/researchdegrees/phd/

Applicants are asked to contact j.kirkwood@warwick.ac.uk before submitting an application.

Deadline:  30 June 2013