This PhD project, based in the new Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, is to undertake extensive research on the factors affecting the strength of joints such as braze media, welds, etc. used in pressure vessels and piping operating at over 500 bar. 

The project’s primary objectives are to assess optimum joint configurations, fit and surface conditions issues, filler material rheology, significance of joint defects and the effect of pressurisation cycles on joint integrity.

Destructive and non- destructive testing methods will be used to characterise defects and assess static and cyclic strength of the components. The applicability of this research to future designs of automotive components will also be explored.

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) is a £32m+ collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing. This project is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Catalyst Fund.

AME is building a bespoke ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ at Unipart Eberspächer’s site in the heart of Coventry.

This forms the focal point of activity and has state-of-the-art robotic automation, forming, joining, analysis and simulation, metrology and product verification technology.

Link: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/ame/

Candidate specifications

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
• Or in the event of a first degree classification of less than 2:1, a Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year period of study
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)