Dr Vassili Vorontsov

Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow

Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management

Personal statement

My research focusses on design and manufacture using advanced metals and alloys. I apply fundamental materials science and engineering to help broaden our understanding of how these materials behave during various manufacturing stages and in service as structural components.

The deformation behaviour and environmental resistance of engineering alloys are my particular scientific interests, and my research focusses on studying and improving these properties. This requires an understanding across all length scales - from atoms to components. For this reason, sophisticated materials characterisation techniques and computer simulations of materials are the staple methods in my research.

Short Bio:

I am a Lecturer in the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM), appointed in 2018 under the Strathclyde Chancellor’s Fellowship scheme.

My previous post was as a research fellow in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. The post was jointly funded by Rolls-Royce plc and the college. During this fellowship, I studied the high-temperature deformation of new cobalt-based superalloys, which can help improve the efficiency of aero engines and gas turbines. Prior to this, I worked as a post-doctoral research associate at the same university, working on a variety of alloys used in aerospace, biomedical, defence and nuclear applications.

I received my PhD degree from the University of Cambridge at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy. The research topic of my dissertation was the development and experimental verification of a computer model for high-temperature deformation of nickel-based superalloys used to make turbine blades in jet engines. My undergraduate MEng degree is from the Department of Materials at Imperial College London.

Expertise

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Prize And Awards

TMS EPD science award for article on processing of nonferrous metals: Recipient; 2018
President’s award for outstanding research team: Recipient; 2017
Imperial College/Rolls-Royce Research Fellowship: Recipient; 2014
Faculty award for achievements and contributions to the College: Recipient; 2013
Highly Commended Author: James Clerk Maxwell young writers prize runner up award: Recipient; 2013
EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship: Recipient; 2012

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Publications

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Publications

Miniaturised experimental simulation and combined modelling of open-die forging of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy: Connolly David, Fabris Mathieu, Sivaswamy Giribaskar, Rahimi Salah, Vorontsov Vassili; Journal of Materials Research and Technology Vol 30, pp. 3622-3639 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.04.084
Miniaturised experimental simulation of open-die forging: Connolly David, Sivaswamy Giribaskar, Rahimi Salaheddin, Vorontsov Vassili; Journal of Materials Research and Technology Vol 26, pp. 3146-3161 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.08.073
Martensitic twinning transformation mechanism in a metastable IVB element-based body-centered cubic high-entropy alloy with high strength and high work hardening rate: Huang Yuhe, Gao Junheng, Vorontsov Vassili, Guan Dikai, Goodall Russell, Dye David, Wang Shuize, Zhu Qiang, Wrainforth Mark, Todd Iain; Journal of Materials Science and Technology Vol 124, pp. 217-231 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2022.03.005
Precipitate dissolution during deformation induced twin thickening in a CoNi-base superalloy subject to creep: Vorontsov Vassili A, McAuliffe Thomas P, Hardy Mark C, Dye David, Bantounas Ioannis; Acta Materialia Vol 232 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2022.117936
Strengthening κ-carbide steels using residual dislocation content: Kwok TWJ, Rahman KM, Vorontsov VA, Dye D; Scripta Materialia Vol 213 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2022.114626
Femtosecond quantification of void evolution during rapid material failure: Coakley James, Higginbotham Andrew, McGonegle David, Ilavsky Jan, Swinburne Thomas D, Wark Justin S, Rahman Khandaker M, Vorontsov Vassili A, Dye David, Lane Thomas J, Boutet Sébastien, Koglin Jason, Robinson Joseph, Milathianaki Despina; Science Advances Vol 6 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abb4434

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Research

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Professional Activities

PhD Viva Voce Examination - Internal Examiner: Examiner; 14/6/2024
Materials Today Communications (Journal): Peer reviewer; 6/6/2024
Henry Royce Institute (External organisation): Advisor; 23/5/2024
Henry Royce Institute (External organisation): Advisor; 14/5/2024
International Journal of Solids and Structures (Journal): Peer reviewer; 5/4/2024
Materials Characterization (Journal): Peer reviewer; 19/3/2024

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Projects

DTP 2224 University of Strathclyde | Iwediba, Isaac Ifeanyi: Vorontsov, Vassili (Principal Investigator) Wong, Andy TC (Co-investigator) Iwediba, Isaac Ifeanyi (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jul-2023 - 01-Jan-2027
Doctoral Training Partnership 2020-2021 University of Strathclyde | Dogan, Gulsum: Vorontsov, Vassili (Principal Investigator) Rahimi, Salaheddin (Co-investigator) Dogan, Gulsum (Research Co-investigator); 01-Mar-2022 - 01-Sep-2025
Doing More With Less: A Digital Twin for state-of-the-art and emerging high value manufacturing routes of high integrity titanium alloy components: Wynne, Bradley (Principal Investigator) Rahimi, Salaheddin (Co-investigator) Vorontsov, Vassili (Co-investigator); 01-Nov-2020 - 31-Oct-2024
Industrial Case Account - University of Strathclyde 2019 / S190404-102: Vorontsov, Vassili (Principal Investigator); 01-Oct-2019 - 30-Sep-2024
Miniaturised experimental simulation of ingot-to-billet conversion: Vorontsov, Vassili (Principal Investigator); Ingot-to-billet conversion processing, or "cogging", is an important production step in high-value metallurgical manufacturing. It is necessary to homogenise and refine the microstructure of high-performance alloys before they proceed to subsequent processing stages, such as hot-forging. Despite its importance, the process is still not very well understood for many modern advanced alloys and few published studies exist. The limited knowledge of the deformation and microstructure evolution leads to difficulties in achieving the desired accuracy of microstructure control. Given significant costs of large multi-tonne workpiece ingots and the difficulties with their non-destructive evaluation, it is crucial to develop a laboratory-scale evaluation for the cogging process so that scrapping and re-processing can be avoided.
Over the course of the project the student will develop automated apparatus to cost-effectively simulate cogging on a laboratory scale, whereby test specimens will be rotated in synchronous alternation with compressive deformation at elevated temperatures. A commercial high-temperature superalloy will be used for the study to help gain an improved understanding of plastic deformation during cogging and optimise the processing conditions. The student will use digital image correlation and crystal orientation mapping (electron back-scatter diffraction, EBSD) to measure how deformation is localised within the different microstructural features of the alloys.; 01-Oct-2019 - 30-Sep-2022
Improved metallurgical manufacture via multiaxial testing of microstructures: Vorontsov, Vassili (Principal Investigator); Next-generation metallurgical manufacturing requires a new level of understanding of how metals and alloys deform under multi-directional loading. The project will address this critical knowledge gap by developing a miniature bi-axial mechanical testing apparatus for in-situ studies inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Deformation of materials is often modelled on their uniaxial test characteristics. However, many modern metal-forming processes subject alloys to very complex loading regimes. The limited practical understanding of plastic deformation under multi-axial loading can place constraints on the geometry of the manufactured components. Bi-axial testing provides valuable insight about the intricate deformation mechanics of these processes. The constructed miniature load-frame will be used to investigate microstructure-level deformation of selected high-performance structural alloys in order to characterise component-scale deformation. Digital image correlation and crystal orientation mapping (electron back-scatter diffraction, EBSD) will be used to measure the degree to which deformation is localised at the different microstructural features of the alloys. The studies will identify distinctions between uniaxial and bi-axial deformation behaviour in modern microstructurally complex alloys produced via conventional and additive manufacturing techniques. The results will be used to develop new theories for the deformation of different types of alloy microstructures. These improved models will enable the development and optimisation of novel resource-efficient metal-forming and additive manufacturing processes that produce lighter components with superior structural integrity.; 01-Oct-2019 - 30-Sep-2023