PhD Studentship: Additive manufacturing of graphene-aluminium metal matrix composites

Aluminum alloys are very important structural materials in aerospace applications due to its lightweight. Aluminum based metal matrix composites have attracted long term research interest due to the strengthening effect from different reinforcements such as Al2O3 and SiC etc. Graphene, as a new materials discovered in the last 15 years, has outstanding mechanical properties with a 1 TPa Young’s modulus and 130 GPa tensile strength. This makes graphene an ideal candidate to be incorporated into an aluminum matrix to realise increased strength.

It is a significant challenge to produce metal matrix composites reinforced by well-dispersed graphene via conventional metallurgical processing (e.g. liquid state casting) due to the high temperature environment and large density difference between the graphene and the matrix metal. With the newly developed additive manufacturing technology, it will be possible to make graphene-aluminum metal matrix composites through uniformly depositing graphene and aluminum powder to avoid the agglomeration of graphene and to achieve optimal mechanical strength.

The project focuses on the manufacturing of graphene-aluminum metal matrix composites through additive manufacturing. The aim of the project is to develop a new generation of metal matrix composites with high strength, to investigate the effect of additive manufacturing process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties development, and to characterize the strengthening mechanism due to graphene addition. The development of these aluminum based metal matrix composites is aimed at high value applications in aerospace industry as structural materials due to lightweight structure.

Candidates should have (or expect to obtain) a good upper class or first class honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering disciplines. Strong background in materials engineering and additive manufacturing with excellent analytical and experimental skills are required.

Funding is available for UK applicants. The studentship is for 3 years and will fully cover UK tuition fees and provide an annual tax-free stipend at the standard EPSRC rate.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Yi Huang, Email: Y.Huang@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2164; or Prof. Marco Starink, Email: M.J.Starink@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 5094.

Click the link below to apply and select the programme - PhD in Engineering and the Environment. Please enter the title of the PhD Studentship in the application form.