Development of corrosion-resistant ceramic coatings by the Aerosol Deposition method

Applications accepted all year round

Location: University of Manchester

Dr D Hall, Dr B Mingo

Applications welcome from candidates to work with our interdisciplinary and collaborative team on a project associated with the development of high-performance ceramic coatings for corrosion protection of light alloys.

The project will be based at Manchester in the Coatings & Ceramics group and the Henry Royce Institute and will contribute to a larger research project in the frame of EPSRC. The Royce is a multidisciplinary research institute that offers an open, accessible and collaborative environment to develop and exploit the UK’s world-leading excellence in advanced materials research. This project is aligned with the theme Materials for Demanding Environments; therefore, the candidate will benefit from a complete range of processing, characterisation and testing facilities available in-house. Moreover, the candidate will have access to the most prominent academics working in similar topics and training activities that will contribute to developing professional networks. 

This project aims to explore the potential of the Aerosol Deposition method in the manufacture of ceramic coatings to improve the long-term corrosion resistance of light alloys for weight-sensitive components used in the transport industry.

The project will involve:

(i) Optimisation of the coatings deposition parameters in terms of powder pre-treatment, composition, deposition rate and time, amongst others.

(ii) Optimisation of the composition of the coatings

(iii) Characterisation of the coatings using a wide range of techniques (optical profilometry, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM), Atomic Force Microscopy amongst others.

(iv) Corrosion evaluation in aggressive media using electrochemical techniques (potentiodynamic tests and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic atmospheric corrosion tests with the aim of reproducing in service corrosive environments. Special attention will be given to elucidating the corrosion inhibition mechanism at a molecular and atomic level.

The University of Manchester pride themselvesselves on our commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect in everything we do. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, and encourage you to bring your whole self to work and study. They will ensure that your application is given full consideration without regard to your race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, marital or pregnancy status, or socioeconomic background. All PhD places will be awarded on the basis of merit.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Beatriz Mingo (Beatriz.mingo@manchester.ac.uk).

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline.

Further details available online