Introduction: 

Swansea University’s College of Engineering invites applications for a Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) funded MRes project as part of the Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership (STRIP).

About the project:

The ZODIAC HDG line at Tata Steel’s Llanwern site is a fully utilised continuous process line manufacturing high quality coated steel strip principally for the automotive sector. Improvements that can optimise the performance of the operation are continually being sought and progressed. There are many components on the line which have to perform over many years in aggressive conditions e.g. high temperatures, corrosive, high wear. The use of coatings to optimise performance of engineered components is not new, but the development of laser cladding opens up the potential to further develop and enhance the performance of the line. There is also a wide range of conventional coating processes which can be considered for coating Works components using novel materials. It is anticipated that future H&S/Environmental legislation could preclude the use of some of the traditional coatings used which will force the development of alternatives.  

The project will involve development and assessment of novel environmentally benign coatings to improve the performance of ZODIAC HDG line components (and potentially for other lines in Tata Steel Europe) to increase performance and/or reduce cost.

Candidate eligibility: Due to funding restrictions this project is open to UK/EU graduates with a background in materials engineering, mechanical engineering or physics. 

Studentship value: The scholarship covers UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax free stipend of £12,500.

Further information: For further information, please contact Dr David Penney: d.penney@swansea.ac.uk

The application closing date is 30th September 2013.