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​​Multiscale numerical modelling of PBF-LB process for producing additive manufacturing materials with higher resistance to hydrogen embrittlement​

Doctoral Training Grant Funding Information 

This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with UK Research & Innovation values. For 2025/6, this will be £20,780 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice.

All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status. 

Application Closing Date: 


Midday (UK Time) on Wednesday 17th September 2025 for a start date of 2nd February 2026.

How to Apply 

To apply, please follow the below steps:

  1. Complete the BCU Online Application Form.
  2. Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.
  3. Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference). 
  4. Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s). 
  5. International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

To help support you to complete your application, please consult the frequently asked questions below: 

Project title: Multiscale numerical modelling of PBF-LB process for producing additive manufacturing materials with higher resistance to hydrogen embrittlement​

Project Lead: Professor Michal Krzyzanowski​ 

Project ID: ​​20 - 46470297 ​ 

Project description:

​​To significantly reduce severity of hydrogen embrittlement in metallic materials processed by Powder Bed Fusion – Laser Beam (PBF-LB) the project focuses on designing microstructures with refined grain size and networks of lower-energy grain boundaries that are more resistant to intergranular fracture. PBF-LB is an additive manufacturing process that utilises a laser beam to melt and fuse metal powders together to form a part. The project will utilize a newly developed holistic numerical platform allowing for obtaining the optimal PBF-LB parameters through calculations eliminating complicated interfaces. Several physical events are currently considered including powder deposition, laser energy absorption, heating of the powder bed by the moving laser leading to powder melting, fluid flow in the melted pool, flow through partly/not melted materials and solidification. The model component/s in relation to grain boundaries formation with particular misorientation, low excess free volumes and a high degree of atomic matching will be developed and added to the platform. The approach is generic, after experimental validation by performing advanced analysis of microstructure, the model can be applied to different multi-material PBF-LB processes. 

​Site-specific control of metals that allows direct control over the evolution of multiple microstructural features at once is one of the most unique and attractive capabilities of PBF-LB explored in this project. This strategy restores some of the microstructure control capabilities offered by conventional methods of metal processing, allowing for creation of new materials by programming the alloy microstructure, in 3D, and at high spatial resolution. Whatever the mechanism, the crystallographic character of the grain boundaries is of great importance as it is here where the solute element segregants and/or hydrogen cause the embrittlement. This project proposes modelling led designing of special microstructures with networks of lower-energy grain boundaries less attractive for segregants and inherently more resistant to intergranular fracture. In addition, such microstructures will possess a refined grain size and diminished incidence of deviation from the exact misorientations broadening the design space of engineered materials resistant to intergranular embrittlement.​ 

Anticipated findings and contributions to knowledge:

The project aim is development of the model component/s in relation to grain boundaries formation with particular misorientation, low excess free volumes, a high degree of atomic matching and integrating them into the recently developed holistic numerical platform supporting simulation of multi-material PBF-LB processes.  

This project proposes modelling-led designing of special microstructures with networks of lower energy grain boundaries less attractive for segregation and inherently more resistant to fracture. In addition, such microstructures will possess a refined grain size that will broaden the design space of engineered materials resistant to intergranular embrittlement. 

The major output will improve understanding and optimisation of the cooperative relationships between different physical phenomena taking place in the processing to achieve concept of significant reduction of hydrogen embrittlement in metallic materials. The study will lead to more effective design and processing. The multiscale numerical models, potentially with minor changes, can be applicable to a wider range of similar metallic materials and will be of significant interest to the growing number of industry partnerships worldwide.

Person Specification:

Entry Requirements: 

  • ​To apply for our Engineering PhD Research Degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university.  

  • ​Exceptional candidates without a Master’s degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered.  

  • ​We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience 

​Desirable Criteria: ​ 

  • Willing to collaborate with users and subject related colleagues.  

  • Knowledge of processing of metallic materials, principals of crystal plasticity and mechanical testing.  

  • Experience in application of numerical methods for numerical modelling of microstructure evolution is highly desirable.  

Overseas applicants:

International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

Contact:

If you have any questions or need further information, please use the contact details below: 

- For enquiries about the funding or project proposal, please contact: michal.krzyzanowski@bcu.ac.uk​

- For enquiries about the application process, please contact:research.admissions@bcu.ac.uk