PhD Scholarship Programme: Researcher in Metallic and Ceramic Materials - Vicente López

The Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit investigates the relationship between microstructure and properties, as well as the optimisation of industrial processes. Our R&D activities focus on the development of high-performance materials solutions, to obtain lightweight/resistant materials and functional surfaces able to withstand severe mechanical and environmental requirements.

The PhD thesis will be focused on the development of new high performance aluminium alloys with a high proportion of recycled material and their subsequent evaluation with two of the processing technologies most used to produce structural parts for the automotive industry: High Pressure Die Casting and Stamping.

The candidate will have at his disposal 2 pilot plants to conduct the development and testing of these new alloys:

• A Bühler Evolution 53D HPDC machine equipped with 1) 500 kg capacity oven (de Hornos TP) and a Pretransa lineal robot, 2) KUKA robotic arm to extract the part and apply the release agent over the die with WOLLIN nozzles, 3) CastQuality control equipment from Electronics Gmbh coupled with sensors installed in the machine, die and peripheric, 4) ProVac PLC-350 and a chill-vent CV 4/8 vacuum equipment and 5) Thermocast 4212 thermoregulator from ROBAMAT
• A sheet metal hot forming pilot line, equipped with 1) 150-ton hydraulic press; 2) continuous roller hearth furnace; 3) water-cooled omega-shaped tool and 4) a water chiller. This pilot plant is complemented with additional equipment, including cooled and heated flat dies for sample production, several heat treatment batch furnaces, equipment for measurement of temperature, including thermal camera and pirometers.

The PhD will be integrated into a high qualified multidisciplinary research group with 4 doctors and several engineers. He will have assistance of highly experienced and well-trained technicians to conduct all his experimental work.

Functions and Responsibilities

• The definition of new alloys, by proposing additions of elements to improve the robustness of the alloys against the high level of impurities expected with the use of mixed scrap
• The development of this alloys by producing small batches at laboratory scale and subsequently characterize their microstructure and mechanical properties
• The assessment, selection, and further development of the HPDC alloys by using them to produce testing demonstrators at Eurecat’s HPDC pilot plant
• The assessment, selection, and further development of the stamping alloys by using them to produce testing demonstrators at Eurecat’s stamping pilot plant through hot and cold forming
• Heat treatment optimization of the new aluminium alloys and application of advanced characterization methods
• Conducting the research, write drafts of scientific papers, and deliver a PhD thesis