PhD Studentship: Engineering: Additive Manufacture: LB-PBF SS316 Powder Oxygen Content Effects on Microstructure, Fatigue and Toughness

The oxygen content of LB-PBF SS316 material its typically much higher than wrought or HIP SS316. This high oxygen content can be traced back to the raw material supply. Improved methods of powder production could potentially enable starting powder oxygen content to be reduced significantly. Conversely, new LB-PBF hardware can recover powder currently wasted during the process that may have an increased oxygen content. This project aims to understand the impact of oxygen content on heat treatment, microstructure, fatigue performance and fracture toughness.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants.