Understanding crush behaviour of recycled 6xxx Aluminium alloys subjected to different thermomechanical treatments

Applications are invited for one full-time EPSRC Industrial CASE (ICASE) PhD studentship at the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), a specialist research centre in metallurgy focused on processing metallic materials for lightweighting applications. The project is sponsored by Constellium, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality, technically advanced aluminium products and systems. The research addresses the need to develop new alloys with higher recycle content to meet net-zero and sustainability targets. The project focuses on understanding the deformation behaviour of high-recycle-content crush alloys and the role of tramp elements in controlling final property profiles. The programme will use different thermomechanical processing paths, including heat treatment and more complex paths involving deformation and ageing to provide the best combination of crush performance and strength along with energy absorption properties. The project will be part of the activities of the Constellium University Technology Centre (UTC) established with 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. The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend (bursary) starting from approximately £23,000 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees for a period of up to 48 months (4 years).