PhD Studentship: An investigation into the Interface Material Layer Created during Linear Friction Welding of Titanium Alloys.

An investigation into the interface material layer created during linear friction welding of Titanium alloys.

Applications are invited for a PhD position at the University of Nottingham addressing the specific engineering details of the contact layer created during the Linear Friction Welding (LFW) of Titanium alloys. The successful candidate will have a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in mechanical engineering or a related subject.

This CASE studentship will attract a stipend of £18,000 per annum for four years. The position arises from a long-standing engineering research relationship between the University of Nottingham and Rolls-Royce plc. The University of Nottingham hosts two of the (~30) University Technology Centres (UTCs) used by the company as the main engines of its engineering research and development. Nottingham’s UTC in gas turbine transmissions systems will host this studentship and the candidate will sit within a community of ~20 PhD students at various stages of their study.

The attachment of blades to discs using solid-state joining is a key factor in achieving cost-effective, high performance and low-weight fan and compressor stages in aero-engines. LFW is an established joining process utilised by R-R to manufacture Titanium blisks across a range of engine types. R-Rs strategy requires the continued exploitation of this technology to a wider range of Titanium alloys, including dissimilar joints. The LFW process has been developed to ensure high quality joints are produced over a broad range of welding conditions commensurate with manufacturing capability; however, the quality of joints made in more advanced Titanium alloys and dissimilar material joints is ensured by consistent flash extrusion and flow from the interface contact layer, which is in turn linked to the transient behaviour of the process, process stability and the interaction between the part and the tooling.

This project will develop the fundamental understanding of the thermo-mechanical effects and material flow within the high strain-rate/high temperature interface contact layer created during LFW of Titanium alloys and the links to key process variables and machine/tooling behaviour.  This study will be undertaken using computational simulation, supported by experimental investigations using test welds and novel material characterisation methods.

This project is available from 1st October 2026. Applications are accepted until post is filled. Informal inquiries can be made via email to Dr. James Rouse (james.rouse@nottingham.ac.uk).

Eligibility: Due to funding restrictions this position is only available to UK or EU candidates.