Development of natural-ageing-resistant, heat-treatable lean aluminium alloys for automotive applications

This is an EPSRC Industrial CASE (ICASE) PhD studentship focused on understanding the effects of vacancy-trapping element addition and quench rate sensitivity of lean Al-Mg-Si-based alloys with varying levels of recycled content on natural ageing response at room temperature and precipitation hardening behaviour during artificial ageing treatment. The project aims to develop lean recyclable Al-Si-Mg-based alloys that are resistant to natural ageing, tolerant of slower quenching rates, and capable of offering high productivity and moderate mechanical properties for automotive applications. The project is sponsored by Constellium, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality, technically advanced aluminium products and systems, and will be part of the activities of the Constellium University Technology Centre (UTC) established with the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact with researchers in BCAST and with Constellium's industrial research engineers, with an industrial supervisor appointed by Constellium. This close collaboration provides a strong foundation for a future career, whether in industry or academia.