PhD Studentship in Mechanical Engineering

Area: Engineering
Location: University Park
Closing Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Reference: ENG334

Project Title

Determining the Oxidation Creep Interaction in Uncoated and Coated Steels using a Novel Torque-Load Test Method

Overview

This exciting opportunity is based within the in the Faculty of Engineering, which conducts cutting edge research into cutting-edge technologies and AI to revolutionise metals manufacturing.

Vision

We are seeking a PhD student who is motivated and capable of driving a largely experimental project to develop new techniques and knowledge. This project involves the development of a novel torsion test method to measure how oxidation and creep may interact at high temperatures / or long times, thereby aiding the safe design, operation and lifing of plant designed for long-term high-temperature service in oxidizing conditions. Moreover, the method will be used to characterise the beneficial effects of coatings aimed at increasing component lifetimes; and in future could be developed to study the effect of more damaging surface phenomena.

Motivation

The maximum temperature that metallic materials may be used in power generation is generally determined by their creep strength. That strength is determined by creep tests on round-section test pieces. It is also well accepted that materials subject to air, steam, combustion products etc. will also suffer from oxidation and corrosion damage, which in many cases causes metal wastage and hence increased stresses, leading to faster creep rates / shorter lives. Oxidation forms fastest on newly created fresh surfaces, for example as the specimen tapers and begins to neck. Several other surface / environment interactions may also reduce lifetimes, including decarburisation, ingress of hydrogen, erosion by debris containing liquid metals; and susceptibility to oxidation at grain boundaries piercing the surface.

It is not surprising to consider oxidation and creep working in synergy. This is especially true when the creep strain is sufficient to cause the oxide to crack (allowing rapid supply of oxygen to the metal surface), or if the oxide spalls off altogether. Generally, creep samples with round sections will have longer lives than those with the same cross-sectional area, but in strip form or hollow tube. It is understood that specimens having higher surface area to volume ratios demonstrate that metal wastage by oxidation will reduce creep lives. The same is likely to be true for small specimen test techniques.

Power generation has always required long-term life of key components including tubes and pipework containing steam that is expanded in the steam turbine coupled to a generator to generate electricity. Typical lifetimes of 200kh are declared by the plant manufacturer. More recently the requirement of 500kh lifetimes has been mooted for the new generation of nuclear plant essential to combat climate change. Reliable declarations of such lifetimes can only be made if the combined effects of surface / environment interactions are understood and calculable. Such calculations are necessary not only to describe the increase in creep rate by air or steam oxidation, but also for, for example, the similar damaging effect of reactor coolants on fuel cladding.

Aim

At present there is no standard test method to understand the synergy between oxidation and creep. This is because several other damaging mechanisms: dislocation cell size increase, particle coarsening, embrittling precipitates or the formation of voids at grain boundaries, and other phenomena, may also cause an increase in creep rate over the long duration of a creep test. In standard creep tests a constant uniaxial tensile load is applied to a round section sample which results in the sample thinning as it is extended, and which could be due to any one or more of the mechanisms mentioned above, as well as due to oxidation. That complicates the interpretation of data. What is needed, therefore, is a test method in which creep strain is developed without changing the cross-sectional area.

This PhD proposal seeks to concentrate on the formation of oxide scale and the behaviour of coatings and their consequence on creep properties. It will develop methods in which creep strain is applied without local thinning caused by creep and instead seeks to characterise the behaviour of the oxide layer and any coating. It will seek to provide as much information as possible on these phenomena using a test piece with multiple gauge-length sections, with different cross-sectional areas and hence stress.

Candidate requirements

This position is only open to UK students. The candidate must have at least an equivalent of a UK 2.1 class degree in materials/mechanical/ manufacturing/physics or any related discipline. This is a largely experimental research project based at the University of Nottingham, with some aspects of material modelling and development of machine learning to aid rapid modelling capabilities. We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and resourceful student to undertake this challenging project.

Essentials

• Materials/ mechanical behaviour understanding
• Engineering laboratory practical skills
• 1st or a 2:1 class undergraduate degree in materials/mechanical/manufacturing/physics or any related discipline.

Desirables

• Basic programming skills
• Basic machine learning knowledge

Eligibility and funding

This studentship is open to UK/home candidates.

Funding is provided by the EPSRC's Centre for Doctoral Training in DigitalMetal and the UK High Temperature Power Plant Forum (HTPPF) and covers home tuition fees, UKRI stipend and research & training costs.

Key Details

• PhD start date: October 2026
• Main University Supervisor: Dr Chris Hyde
• Secondary University Supervisor: Prof. Tanvir Hussain
• Industrial Supervisor (if applicable): Dr Chris Bullough
• Programme Length: Four years

Industry Sponsor Information

The UK High Temperature Power Plant Forum (UKHTPPF) is an organisation that brings together industry, academia, and researchers to focus on the structural integrity, creep, and fatigue issues of materials used in high-temperature power plant components. Its aim is to help the power Sector to ensure the reliability and safety of high-temperature industrial materials and components.

How to apply

Application deadline: 31-May-2026

To apply, please email your CV and supporting statement to Dr Christopher Hyde at christopher.hyde@nottingham.ac.uk

Interview date: June 2026

Additional Information

The University of Nottingham actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We - the Faculty of Engineering - provide a thriving working environment for all our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. We understand that research culture is important to our PGRs so we work closely with our Postgraduate Engineering Society and PGR research group representatives to support and enhance the postgraduate research environment.

As a PGR at the University of Nottingham you will benefit from training through our Researcher Academy’s training programme. Based within the Faculty of Engineering you will have additional access to courses developed specifically for our engineering and architecture PGRs including sessions on how to write a paper, communicating your research, and research integrity.

We offer dedicated postgraduate study spaces, have outstanding research facilities and work in partnership with leading industrial partners.

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