Understanding the Performance of Aerospace Aluminium Alloys in Humid Air

About the Project

High strength aluminium alloys are widely used in aerospace applications to produce commercial aircraft. These alloys have an excellent balance of properties and low density, achieved through alloying additions such as Zn, Mg, and Cu along with carefully processing. One issue is that under some conditions, these alloys can become susceptible to embrittlement by hydrogen arising from water vapour in the air. The combination of this embrittlement and service loads can lead the phenomena of stress-corrosion cracking (SCC). To avoid this, empirical rules have been developed. However, a fundamental understanding of the process is still lacking. Furthermore, current standard tests do not adequately capture the phenomena, and thus industry is seeking a new testing protocol.

This PhD will involve a fundamental exploration of SCC in high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aerospace aluminium alloys. State of the art electron microscopy and hydrogen measurement methods at the University of Manchester will be used to investigate microstructure and its role in SCC performance. Novel in-situ mechanical test methods will be used to study the SCC phenomena as it occurs, providing new insights into the mechanisms. Together, this improved understanding will be used to help develop new test methods that can more reliably assess the SCC performance of new alloys and heat-treatments, giving increased confidence in the use of these materials.

The project will be carried out in the Centre for Light Alloys Research and Innovation (CLARI), which sits within the new Royce Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Manchester. This is the largest light metals activity in the UK with a highly collaborative working environment that includes seminars, workshops, and social events.

The project is sponsored by Constellium, a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and recycling of aluminum products. There will be opportunities to spend time working at Constellium’s laboratories at Grenoble in the French Alps.

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.

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.