Materials for Chemical, Process and Power Generation Industries
Metallic structures in chemical, process and power plant are required to maintain their performance over long lifetimes, both during operation in adverse environments and after decommissioning. The understanding and prediction of properties under such conditions presents significant challenges to the materials engineer.
We use experimental characterisation and numerical prediction of microstructures to develop new materials and fabrication routes, and to study the development of microstructures during service. Our aim is to measure the properties of materials in near-service conditions, and to develop engineering assessment methods and mechanistic materials models.
Our work is a core activity of the Materials Performance Centre, an interdisciplinary research centre within the School of Materials. Strong interactions are maintained with UK and overseas industries, in particular the nuclear power generation and decommissioning. The Materials Performance Centre is associated with the Dalton Nuclear Institute at the University of Manchester.
Research interests
- Materials Characterisation (Crystallographic and chemical characterisation of grain boundaries, Microstructural modelling, Weld microstructure modelling)
- Materials Properties (Discontinuous yield and strain ageing, Stress corrosion cracking, Residual stress and constraint effects on fracture.)
- Predictive Methods (Atomic simulations and molecular dynamics, Meso-scale modelling of plasticity and fracture, Continuum-based local approach modelling of fracture, Structural integrity tools, e.g. R6)