Department of Engineering

PhD in: Mechanics of erosion and Foreign Object Damage in Thermal Barrier Coatings

Principal Investigator:

• Norman Fleck

Project Details:
The need for energy-efficient and sustainable, non-polluting gas turbines for aerospace propulsion and industrial power generation is of major international importance. Components in the hot stage of current gas turbines are thermally and chemically protected by a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system. Particles either ingested into the engine or derived from internal spalls, impact rotating components at ~300 m/s. The smaller particles cause erosion, while larger ones cause segments of the TBC to spall, resulting in foreign object damage (FOD). Some of the basic mechanics of impact and material removal have been established and scaling relationships developed. Two main challenges remain. (a) Material removal due to kink bands has yet to be modelled. (b) A probabilistic framework for integrating the material loss caused by sequential impacts remains to be devised.

Background Required:
The successful candidates will have the equivalent of a first from a reputable university in the field of mechanical engineering, physics or materials science. In finite element modelling and materials testing will be an advantage but is not necessary.

Funding Source:
Full PhD studentship including fees and maintenance available for UK/EU or overseas students.

Research Groups Involved:

• Micromechanics

Application Deadline:
Open

For further information and to apply contact:

Initial letters of application and CVs should be sent to Professor Fleck.

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