Irradiated Sensitised Cladding: Mitigation of Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking from Laser Shock Peening
Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 15 Jan 2025
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: May 2025
For further details contact: Dr Kashif Khan
Introduction
This PhD project is on development of a novel mitigation method, using Laser Shock Peening (LSP), against the susceptibility of localised IGSCC-led cladding failure by altering or controlling the residual stress, present in the clad. The project will develop a Laser Shock Peening (LSP) process parameters model, for sensitised irradiated stainless-steel samples, which will use the laser power, density, and spot size for stopping crack initiation and retardation of crack growth (crack arresting).
Project details
The spent fuel pins of Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors (AGRs), after service life, are managed in interim storage in ponds which makes the sensitised cladding susceptible to intergranular corrosion stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) and breaches. The cladding of fuel pins, in their service life, is subject to irradiation and operational loads causing susceptible microstructure prone to Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking (IGSCC). It is of vital importance to understand how clad mechanically responds to storage conditions, and how its behaviour is impacted by the degradation that forms in the storage conditions.
This project will look into the extent of chromium depletion and grain boundary attack in cladding due to combined thermal ageing and irradiation damage, residual stresses present in the cladding, corrosion rates of cladding in low and high pH aqueous environments, and how Laser Shock Peening (LSP) can be used as a mitigation approach for stopping possible crack initiation and arresting propagating cracks in the clad. This project will develop sound knowledge and understanding of the degradation phenomenon of cladding in storage conditions, environment assessment of storage sites, pond chemistry challenges, novel ways of demonstrating structural integrity, addressing mitigation, and enhancing safety standards.
The project is in collaboration between Coventry University, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and will require successful candidate to work closely with academics and industry researchers within these areas. There will be opportunities for secondment at the NNL Laboratories.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral esearcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Entry requirements
- 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.
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
Additional Requirements
- A first degree in maths, physics, mechanical or materials engineering or a closely related discipline is essential
- A Masters-level degree or publication record in any of the above fields would be advantageous
- Good understanding of engineering mechanics and mechanical behaviour of materials
- Knowledge of irradiation damage, computer modelling for nuclear materials, or steel metallurgy would be advantageous
- Potential to work and engage closely with both industrial and academic researchers and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact Dr Kashif Khan.
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
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