Luke joined the group in September 2024 for his PhD, after graduating from the University of Birmingham with an MEng in Nuclear Engineering. During this course he became very interested in Nuclear Fusion, and this interest led to him doing a summer internship with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in 2023 on Design Optimisation of Micro-Fracture Specimen Geometries by Finite Element (FE) Modelling. He completed his Masters project in the Materials for Extremes group too, looking into novel intermetallic reinforced steels, and will be continuing this knowledge into his PhD research.
Project: Development of novel alloys, including silicide-strengthened and ferritic superalloys
A unique silicide phase, identified recently, provides excellent strengthening of the steel it evolves within, along with a capability to fully decompose above 900°C, enabling machining to be carried out at elevated temperatures, without the risk of cracking or loss of optimised precipitate dispersion. Subsequent studies have shown how the silicide phase in these steels can be evolved through a range of nano to micrometre-scale precipitates. The silicide phase consists of Fe, Ni, Cr and Si, however, Ni is notably a problematic element from an activation perspective. Studies of other silicide-strengthening phases have shown the viability, notably in maraging steels, strengthened by Fe2SiTi precipitates. Additionally, certain precipitates, such as B2-superlattice ordered precipitates have been shown to provide disorder reversibility during irradiation, providing an excellent degree of radiation damage resistance. This project will develop new alloys utilising these strengthening mechanisms.
Techniques employed: Arc Melting, FIB, SEM, TEM, EBSD, XRD, nano- and micro-hardness, ion irradiation