Crystallisation kinetics of new PolyArylEtherKetones (PAEKs) in Additive Manufacturing. PhD in Engineering

Location:  Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon.

The student will be based in the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) (https://emps.exeter.ac.uk/engineering/research/etg/centres/calm/) in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter but will involve visits, meetings and time spent at Victrex, as required by the project.  Victrex is an innovative world-leading UK-based manufacturer of high-performance polyaryletherketone (PAEK) based polymeric materials, forms and components.

Victrex’s central business activity is the creation of sustainable innovation in advanced integrated materials systems and the adoption of these solutions across a range of markets.  Key to the accelerated adoption of these technologies is driving an understanding of the science behind these materials systems and transferring that understanding, and the skills developed therefrom, into industrial supply chains.

Victrex is heavily involved in the delivery of PAEK products (from medical devices to aero, pipes and gears manufacturing), with 2021 revenues of £308m, 800 employees and 11 subsidiaries serving more than 40 countries.

Project description:

The studentship is part of the large industrial partnership between CALM and Victrex focused on delivery of the next generation of Poly Aryl Ether Ketone (PAEK) grades for Additive Manufacturing. Therefore, it will take advantage of the project developments so far in terms of knowledge in crystallisation kinetics and models for AM. It will also have access to the state-of-the-art equipment for testing, manufacturing and analysis.

The project is looking to understand the crystallisation kinetics of new developmental PAEK grades and blends in relation to various additive manufacturing processes. Dynamic and isothermal crystallisation models, kinetic parameters will be statistically modelled and correlations developed to allow prediction of behaviour and performance of new PAEK grades and reduce the need for experimental testing in process. As many of the AM processes are a combination of dynamic and isothermal events, the PhD will also attempt to develop new, bespoke models replicating the unique temperature profile of the AM processes.

https://emps.exeter.ac.uk/engineering/research/etg/centres/calm/

For eligible students, the studentship will cover UK tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time study. Non-UK students who pay international tuition fees should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.  They are eligible to apply if able to provide the rest of the international tuition fee and the stipend.