(SATURN CDT) Processing-Microstructure-Property Relationships in Martensitic Stainless Steels for Nuclear Applications

About the Project

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT

UoM_Nuclear

High alloy steels such as martensitic stainless steels are used in various applications throughout nuclear plants for their favourable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. With increased focus on electrification and improving performance, the electromagnetic behaviour of these structural alloys is becoming increasingly important for component design. Therefore, manufacturing processes traditionally optimised for strength and toughness now require tailoring to include consideration of magnetic permeability as well.

The impact of heat treatment parameters and other process variables on the magnetic behaviour of martensitic stainless steels is difficult to predict due to the material magnetic response being heavily dependent on the wrought alloy process history (melting, composition and hot working), local process variation as well as the testing process itself.

It has been recognized that there is a need for deeper understanding of the interrelationships between process, microstructure and mechanical/electromagnetic properties in martensitic stainless steels, in order to better optimise future material performance for some wide-ranging nuclear applications.

This doctoral project is a collaboration between the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN) at the University of Manchester and Rolls Royce in understanding the interplay between process, microstructure and properties in a variety of martensitic stainless steels. The work will focus on microstructural characterisation following a variety of different processing conditions and its relationship to properties and performance of the alloys for various nuclear applications. The project will aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the impact of varying composition and process parameters on microstructural evolution in martensitic stainless steels.
• Optimise testing methods and characterise the electromagnetic behaviour for martensitic stainless steels for a range of nuclear applications.
• Propose a framework of processing and heat treatment parameters for the alloys investigated to optimise the mechanical and magnetic properties.

About SATURN

This PhD is based with the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training. SATURN is made up form a consortium of NW Universities that include Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Lancaster, Sheffield and Strathclyde. The ethos of the programme is to recruit students from across STEM and give them the necessary skills and training to become a subject matter expert in the nuclear sector in either industry or academia. You will be recruited with a cohort of other researchers all looking at nuclear focused research but from across the breadth of the sector. Your training will include an introduction to nuclear course as well as opportunities to do a deep dive in the areas that really interest you. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your experience and skills by visiting internationally relevant facilities, having an industry secondment, undertaking leadership training, and involving yourself in outreach and public engagement activities. If this sounds like the sort of opportunity that you are looking for, we would love to hear from you

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. For informal enquiries, please contact Ed Pickering at ed.pickering@manchester.ac.uk

Funding Notes

The EPSRC funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees at the Home student rate and a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at a stipend of £26,000 pa. for 2026-2027. Fee waivers may be available for international candidates that do not require ATAS clearance; this is subject to availability. Applicants from the EU, US, and Australia are encouraged to apply. The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a research training support grant which is available to fund conference attendance, fieldwork, internships, etc.