Developing methodologies for correlative microstructural characterisation of materials degradation

This studentship, co-funded with EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd, will focus on the development of new methodologies to correlate the microstructural features of materials degradation with the engineering stress, strain and environmental conditions that caused them. The long-term ambition of the project is to develop a methodology applicable broadly for characterising microscopy of materials degradation including creep, fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. It is important to understand how the location of damage in ex-service and test specimens correlates with both the microstructure of the material and the operational conditions. Emphasis will be placed on developing image processing techniques using machine learning tools to combine multiple large-scale mapping techniques, correlate degradation with the underlying microstructure and stresses, and compare to engineering model predictions. It will also investigate optimal ways to storing data from materials analysis for future use, including metadata and data hierarchy. The ultimate goal will be to design a methodology to best obtain, store and analyse microscopy data in a way that can be replicated and used by future researchers through digital repositories.

The project is based in the Interface Analysis Centre within the School of Physics at the University of Bristol and will be closely connected with the School of Mechanical Engineering and EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd at Barnwood, Gloucestershire. The student will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art surface and materials analysis instrumentation providing the opportunity to develop skills in advanced materials characterisation techniques including electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and focused ion beam cross-sectioning, as well as leading materials modelling methods and image analysis tools. This project falls within the EPSRC Research themes of Materials, Nuclear and Fusion.