Tata Steel and the University of Cambridge High throughput kinetics data for steel optimisation

This PhD studentship focuses on developing a robust understanding of the kinetics of microstructure formation in EAF processed steels and how they are influenced by compositional and processing variations. The research will use synchrotron X-ray diffraction to track evolving crystallography in steel samples over a wide range of cooling rates and isothermal dwells. The diffraction data will be interpreted to quantify phase fractions and lattice parameter evolution, allowing quantification of phase transformations. Ancillary microstructural examination using electron microscopy will confirm phase identifications from the synchrotron X-ray data. The acquired data will be compared with existing transformation kinetics models to assess their reliability and provide data needed for refinement. The position offers a 4-year fully funded PhD opportunity valued at £26,280 annually for maintenance, based in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge.