The research project concerns the development and exploration of a new manufacturing technique to clad and/or alloy materials, in particular advanced aircraft grade aluminums. Cladding and alloying is performed in the solid state employing a modified Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technique; filler material is supplied during welding through a specially developed hollow tool.
The research aims at a thorough understanding of the relation between the properties of the clad layer / local alloyed material and the process parameters of the modified FSW technique. An important part of the project is the modeling and experimental verification of the (i) materials changes inside and outside of the weld area, (ii) the flow of filler material from the modified FSW tool to the work piece and (iii) the local cladding and/or alloying of the work piece. Advanced finite element modeling employing an arbitrary Lagrange Eulerian approach is carried out to determine the local material flow and temperature fields and capture the mixing of filler material within the work piece.
The experimentally validated and verified models are used to predict the FSW process conditions for optimal material properties for a series of aircraft specific applications, such as the deposition of a thin, protective Al clad layer on top of a 2xxx or 7xxx alloy. The accordingly manufactured demonstration materials are tested under aircraft specific conditions on corrosion and fatigue properties.
A special filler supply system and modified FSW tools are designed and manufactured as part of the research, since such a system does not exist at present.

The PhD researcher candidate should:
•hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field;
•have a good background in numerical modeling with emphasis on modeling the mechanical behaviour of materials;
•have affinity with materials science and should have hands-on experience with experimental work;
•have strong written and oral communication skills in English.
The vacancy is located at Delft University of Technology in Delft.

Additional information about the job:
the status of PhD researcher. He/she will have employee status and will be eligible for all the employee benefits offered by the M2i. The contract is for 4 years. Gross salary for the first year is EUR 2,195 gross per month. This amount increases to EUR 2,533 gross per month in the fourth year. The PhD thesis should be completed at the end of the 4th year term with the M2i. A training program is part of the agreement. The researcher and the supervisor will draw up a plan for any additional training and supervision that is specifically needed.

Materials innovation institute M2i

Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job before 31-01-2009 by sending your application to:

All applicants are asked to submit a Curriculum Vitae, a list of grades of their Master’s study and a letter of motivation. These documents shall be sent to: with the reference number of the vacancy.

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT MC8.07290a.