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Investigation of Energy Transfer in Novel Out-of-Autoclave Manufacture of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites

We are currently seeking an outstanding and committed graduate to undertake research in the area of Out-of-Autoclave manufacture of fibre reinforced composites. This fully funded PhD position is open to candidates from the UK and EU.

Traditional autoclave curing technology for fabricating high performance composites is limited by high capital investment and operational costs with long throughput time and excessive energy consumption. This project aims to improve out-of-autoclave composites manufacture by optimising energy transfer in the process. The key objectives include: to understand and improve composite resin curing behaviour during out-of-autoclave composites manufacture; to improve energy efficiency, and to optimise composite curing process. The research methodology will involve a simulation-experiment combined approach around critical tasks. These tasks will involve understanding and modelling composite curing behaviour by investigating cure kinetics during manufacturing processes. The student will perform comprehensive thermal analysis, utilised to characterise cure kinetic parameters followed by heat transfer analysis in carbon fibre composites. In addition, different methods will be examined to improve moulding process efficiency. These involve modification to both tooling and resin system. The effect of these methods will be evaluated by examining outputs such as energy consumption, cycle time and part properties.

A full description of the position, including funding notes, can be found on FindAPhD.