The Project
Introduction and Background
Creep strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steels are a group of steels which offer the potential for excellent physical and mechanical properties. Grade 91 and Grade 92 CSEF steels are now routinely used for high temperature components in advanced power generating plants. In-service Life Management approaches for CSEF steels must offer cost effective guidance for reducing the risks of failure. This project complements existing knowledge produced at EPRI; the knowledge created will have industrial impact through improved design methods as well as lifetime assessment procedures and societal benefits through improved assurance of fail-safe operation of power plant. Such improvements offer the potential for extending the life of plant, with the attendant benefits to minimising impact on climate change. The models produced will provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the formation and growth of creep cavities. Damage of this type is at the heart of low ductility failure of high temperature components. Thus, the research outcomes from this latest research will underpin significant improvements which will minimise creep failure in service. This knowledge is one of the inputs linked to improvements in damage tolerance of CSEF steel components.
Collaboration
The research in this project will link with a collaborative initiative supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R026076/1; Bristol PI = Professor Peter EJ Flewitt, FREng). The overall research initiative will consider the physics and mechanics of creep cavity nucleation and sintering that occurs in polycrystalline materials. The materials selected will have different compositions and microstructures. There are three universities participating in the overall programme—Open, Oxford and Bristol. The research described here will be carried out through a PhD studentship funded by the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, USA at the University of Bristol.
The researcher will thus be based within the Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol. S/he will also work closely with the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford (Professor A Cocks). In addition, there will be close collaboration with EPRI. EPRI will provide a series of laboratory- and service-exposed creep specimens on tempered martensitic steels of known pedigree.
Objectives
1. Provide quantitative descriptions of how thermal history (including peak temperature, holding times and cooling rates) defines details of the microstructure developed and define the link between microstructural features and creep damage susceptibility.
3. Provide understanding of the inter-relationship between microstructure, stress state and damage which lead to new material models. These robust and validated models will be directly relevant to the development, application and advancement of life evaluation procedures adopted for 9Cr1Mo steel, and related electrical power plant components. Such improvements also offer the potential to minimise impact on climate change by removing the need for immediate rebuild.
How to apply
Follow this link to make an online application for this project. Please select Physics PhD on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of this specific project in the ‘Research Details’ section of the form.
Candidate requirements
A first degree in physics, materials science, materials engineering or a related subject, normally at a level equivalent to at least UK upper second-class honours, or a relevant postgraduate master’s qualification. Ideally a combined interest in experimental and modelling approach.
For international equivalent qualifications, visit the International Office website.
Language requirements also apply.
Funding
Stipend: Electric Power Research Institute (USA)
Fees: Electric Power Research Institute (USA)
Travel/consumables: Electric Power Research Institute (USA)
Funding length: 3.5 years
Anticipated start date: March 2020
Contacts
For informal enquiries about the project please contact peter.flewitt@bristol.ac.uk.
For enquiries about the application process contact physics-pg@bristol.ac.uk.
| Title | The Physics and Mechanics of Creep Cavity Nucleation and Sintering in Energy Materials |
| Location | University of Bristol |
| Funding | Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, being a UK or EU national who was resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the project |
| Stipend | Funding will cover UK/EU tuition fees, maintenance at the UKRI Doctoral Stipend rate (£15,009 pa, 2019–2020 rate) and a training support fee of £1,000 pa for a period up to 3.5 years |
| Hours | Full time |
| Contract | Temporary |
| Closes | February 26, 2020 |