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Location: Oxford University Materials Department

Post type: Research student

Duration: 3 years, starting October 2004

Area: Experimental studies of brittle-ductile transitions in bcc metals

Supervisor: Steve Roberts

Application deadline: This post has been filled but there are still opportunities for research students to work in related areas. Please contact Steve Roberts for information.

Brief Description of Project

This modelling project will involve close collaboration with the various other members of the modelling project, especially the molecular dynamics group at Liverpool and the hardening theory group at Cambridge . The graduate student appointed will work closely with a postdoctoral researcher, with a researcher appointed on a closely-related EU - funded project, and with researchers at Oxford performing parallel modelling studies.

Single crystals: Precracked miniature 4-point bend fracture specimens of single crystals of bcc metals (V, Fe-Cr) will be tested over the BDT range, determining the variation of fracture K with temperature and strain rate. Fracture will be examined to determine form and extent of crack-tip plastic flow. Dislocation velocity data will be determined within the BDT range. The data from the experiments will be compared with work by researchers developing dislocation-based models for BDT in single crystals.

Polycrystals: Essentially the same experimental procedures will be used as for single crystals. We will use relatively fine- grained materials (ideally in the range 10-50µm) so that precrack will cover a wide range of grains. The focus will be on how the results differ from the single crystal experiments.

Selection criteria

Applicants should have:

1. A good first degree in materials, or a related physical science subject.
2. Potential to perform high-quality experimental research, especially in the following areas:
   • fine-scale mechanical testing;
   • work with metal single crystals;
   • SEM, TEM and other microscopical methods;
   • dislocations.
3. Good communication skills in English. Ability to write in English at a suitable standard for the preparation of publications.
4. Ability to meet agreed deadlines.
5. Ability to work effectively in a team, and to interact effectively with collaborators.
6. Willingness and ability to travel in order to work with collaborators.

Applications

Read the admissions criteria in the general information about research studentships at Oxford University Materials Department.

If you are from overseas (non-UK), please consult with the Graduate Studies secretary regarding the available funding for student fees for the project.

Make your application to the Graduate Studies secretary indicating the research projects that are of particular interest to you. Include:

• a statement of your suitability for the specific selection criteria for the project;
• your CV;
• names of two academic referees.

Address:
Graduate Studies Secretary,
Department of Materials,
University of Oxford,
Parks Road,
Oxford,
OX1 3PH

Tel: 01865 283100

Fax: 01865 273789

Email: graduate.studies@materials.ox.ac.uk

Further information

Overall project description

For informal discussion of the project contact Steve Roberts

Studentships in Materials at Oxford