PhD Studentship: Weak Interphase OxOx CMCs
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institution
- University of Birmingham
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Position type
- PhD
- Location
- Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- Funding
- Fully funded position
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About this position
Traditional Ox/Ox Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) do not apply a fibre coating, instead they rely on a high porosity ‘weak matrix’ to deflect cracks and improve toughness. However, this strategy can result in poor matrix-dominated properties, such as through-thickness thermal conductivity and interlaminar shear strength. ‘Weak interphase’ Ox/Ox CMCs are of potential interest to retain the desirable features of oxide systems (e.g. good environmental resistance), whilst enabling a higher density matrix to improve the interlaminar properties.
This project aims to develop and demonstrate the room temperature mechanical performance of a weak interphase Ox/Ox CMC system. Novel manufacturing strategies to produce a high density oxide matrix will be investigated. Subsequently, initial composite manufacturing trials and fibre push in / push out tests will be performed to understand the factors affecting the interfacial shear strength / debonding energy, such as coating thickness and ageing temperature. Finally, an interphase coating and matrix infiltration procedure will be down-selected to manufacture and test the mechanical properties of a flat laminate. If successful, the developed system may be taken forwards as a candidate to replace existing / developmental Ox / Ox CMC components, e.g. heat shields.
The project will be supervised by Prof Jon Binner (j.binner@bham.ac.uk).
Funding notes:
This is an industrially-funded, I-CASE project and restricted to UK nationals only.
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