Nickel-containing Medium Entropy Alloys (MEAs) are particularly promising for extreme environments where material integrity is critical. Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) presents a cost-effective alternative, but its process-structure-property relationships remain underexplored. This research will advance the understanding of manufacturability, microstructure, and properties of WAAM-produced nickel-containing MEAs for safety-critical applications. Pursuing this PhD will provide the candidate with a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medium-entropy alloys. The candidate will gain expertise in advanced manufacturing techniques, such as WAAM, and develop a deep understanding of process-structure-property relationships in complex alloys. The interdisciplinary nature of the project will enhance problem-solving skills, preparing the candidate for a career in academia, research, or industry.

High-Entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) have emerged as a promising class of materials due to their unique combination of properties such as high strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. Among these, nickel-containing MEAs have gathered particular attention for applications in extreme environments, including aerospace, nuclear reactors, and marine structures, which are safety critical and where strength and integrity are of major significance.

Currently, casting is the primary method of fabricating HEAs/MEAs, but it faces challenges such as limited scalability, complex geometries, and elemental segregation. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers an innovative solution, and Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)—a cost-effective, large-scale AM technique—has emerged as a promising method to overcome these limitations. However, understanding the process-structure-property-performance relationships in WAAM-produced MEAs is still in its early stages. The aim of this research programme is to develop fundamental understanding in manufacturability, microstructure and property, of nickel containing medium entropy alloys for critical applications.

This PhD research will focus on response of such complex alloy system subjected to multiple thermal cycling. We will investigate to have better understanding on

• Establishing Process – Microstructure – Process Correlation (Optimise WAAM parameters to achieve defect-free MEAs with uniform composition and microstructure, understand effect of alloying elements on phase stability, impact of thermo-mechanical processing in mitigating stress, segregation and dendritic grain structure)

• Cyclic Deformation Behaviour (Understand orientation dependent cyclic response (e.g. twinning) through in situ neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction)

• Wear Behaviour (wear resistance under different loading conditions and environments, identifying key mechanisms influencing material degradation)

• Irradiation Response (evaluate the microstructural and mechanical stability of MEAs under ion or neutron irradiation)

Pursuing this PhD will provide the candidate with a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medium-entropy alloys. The candidate will gain expertise in advanced manufacturing techniques, such as WAAM, and develop a deep understanding of process-structure-property relationships in complex alloys. The interdisciplinary nature of the project will enhance problem-solving skills, preparing the candidate for a career in academia, research, or industry.

Supervisor

Dr Arijit Lodh

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit preferably candidates from following disciplines: Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering or related fields.

Funding

This is a self-funded opportunity.

How to apply

For further information please contact: Dr Arijit Lodh

Name: Dr Arijit Lodh

Email: a.lodh@cranfield.ac.uk

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.

Cranfield University

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Toolless Manufacture of Nickel containing Medium Entropy Alloys MEAs PhD