PhD Student Digital twin for ultrasound-assisted casting of Mg nanocomposites

Metal Matrix Nanocomposites (MMNCs) based on magnesium alloys show a great potential regarding properties and application possibilities as materials in lightweight construction but also as functional materials. This helps to increase the use of magnesium-based materials in the automotive and aerospace industry, which reduces fuel consumption by lowering the weight of the vehicle. At the Institute of Material and Process Design, these materials are produced, characterised and optimised. The melt-metallurgical production of these composites is carried out using hybrid processes in which two forms of energy act simultaneously on the same zone of the material. In ultrasound-assisted casting, this is the thermal energy for melting the alloy and the ultrasound for deagglomerating the nanoparticles in the melt. The cavitation induced by the ultrasound destroys particle clusters and the acoustic streaming distributes the particles homogeneously in the melt.

For this process, understanding of the resulting microstructure-property relationship in the cast structure will be achieved by parameter variation (ultrasound intensity, melt temperature, particle and alloy composition, sonotrode material, etc.) and with the help of a digital twin that will be created. Experimental studies of the production of the nanocomposites as well as computer simulations using data-based and physics-based models will be developed to describe the processes and their interactions are to be carried out for this purpose. The digital twin enables dedicated parameter variation, which supports the microstructure and property characterisation of the nanocomposites and optimises the manufacturing process in this research project.

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested?
Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) indicating the reference number 2022/WD 2 until November 15th, 2022.