Dr Richard Moat

The overarching hypothesis is that optimised processes for developing structures with hardfacing surface can be produced in Cobalt free alloys, in applications where HIP binding is not applicable, using plasma transfer arc deposition. This can be achieved using a combination of new alloy development, residual stress characterisation and process modelling. These developments will allow power plant components to be produced with a reduction in undesirable cobalt, consequently improving inseparability and reducing workforce -ray dosage. The project specific objectives are: Objective 1: Develop Fe-based, silicide strengthened alloy powder, available in volumes in excess of 2kg, with galling performance exceeding that of Ni-based alternatives and comparable to the standard of Stellite 6. Objective 2: Produce a set of sub scale hardfacing alloy components covering a range of PTA process parameters in Colomoy 5 and Fe-based, Silicide strengthened alloys. Objective 3: Characterise PTA process using a combination of modelling, residual stress characterisation and materials performance assessment and make evidence based processing recommendations.

The PhD project of Jino Mathew finishes in March 2015. His research has demonstrated that neural networks (ANN) can be applied to characterise residual stress profiles, suitable for fracture mechanics analysis, based on a sufficient database of high quality measurements. A 6 month implementation project is proposed that will translate his research findings into a advanced tool that can be used by the engineering community for structural integrity assessments.

The Contour Method is a destructive method of residual stress characterisation that involves back-calculating the stresses required to cause small elastic distortions in a surface induced by cutting a component into two halves. Although the theory of this method is quite straightforward processing of raw measurements of displacement in a reliable manner is not a trivial task. Furthermore, current software employed in academia is restricted by licence for use in non-commercial work and this limits consultancy work that can be undertaken. The project will involve consolidating two computational methods, one developed by the OU and one by the University of Manchester, into a single software package, using a programing language that doesn't restrict the commercial exploitation of the method. A consultant, namely Mike Fox, who is a scientific software expert, will undertake the majority of the work, with support from Richard Moat.

The proposed research aims at laying the mathematical foundations for aperiodic tiling - inspired structures to be used for additive manufacturing of novel cellular materials. http://www.open.ac.uk/r...ructures-inspired-maths

An existing CDT led by the Centre for Nuclear Engineering (CNE) at Imperial College in collaboration with multi-disciplinary nuclear groups at Cambridge (Nuclear Energy Centre, CNEC) and The Open Universities, is now joined by the University of Bristol and Bangor University to form a new Nuclear CDT, bringing together over 50 academics with internationally-leading research across nuclear materials (e.g. primary circuit structures, fuels, structural materials and wasteforms), joining/manufacturing technologies, structural integrity assessment methods and standards, thermal hydraulics, geological storage and disposal (e.g. rock mechanics), safety and security (e.g. accident modelling and structural integrity), nuclear technology policy and public engagement, plant decommissioning and clean up, regulation, new nuclear build, advanced reactor technology, the fuel cycle, plant life extension, and naval nuclear propulsion.