School of Engineering

Location:  Highfield Campus
Closing Date:  Tuesday 31 August 2021
Reference:  1335921DA
Supervisory Team:    Robert Wood and Georges Limbert

Project description

Cobalt-based hard facings are used extensively within the nuclear industry for sliding wear resistant applications, such as where there is a risk of galling. Galling is defined as a form of surface damage arising between sliding surfaces, distinguished by macroscopic roughening which is usually localized, and the creation of protrusions above the original surface; it often includes plastic flow or material transfer, or both, and in the most severe cases may results in parts becoming seized together.

An issue with the use of the cobalt-based alloys however, is the activation of cobalt by a neutron flux to form the cobalt-60 radionuclide; this isotope is a significant contributor to plant worker dose and the cobalt-based alloys used typically have cobalt compositions in excess of 50%. Whilst significant work is on-going in developing cobalt-free, galling resistant alloys, the use of surface coatings to encapsulate the cobalt-based alloys represents an attractive means of minimizing plant material changes whilst still delivering an effective engineering solution against wear and radiation dose.

This project will build upon work already started at the university in the modelling of vacuum thin film coatings, specifically the use of diamond-like-carbon coatings, in sliding wear in a simple water environment. This project will focus on simplistic sample geometries and will establish the modelling of the baseline cobalt-base alloy system behaviour, before investigating the coating palliative. The effect of a pressurized water reactor environment will need to be incorporated into the model in order to ensure the applicability of the model and its results to real life applications.

 If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof RJK Wood, nCATS Research Group, Email: r.wood@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4881.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 August 2021 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £15,609 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2021/22, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD  Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Robert Wood 

Applications should include: 

Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk