The curriculum concentrates on the comprehensive study of materials properties and failure processes from the point of view of physics and physical metallurgy. Students should develop capability to apply their knowledge in inventive manner to new technologies and materials, such as plasma spraying, special methods of thermo-mechanical and thermo-chemical treatment, etc. Special attention is paid to the degradation processes and to the synergetic effects of various materials properties on material failure. The subjects of study are metallic and non-metallic materials, e.g., structural ceramics, polymers, amorphous and nanocrystalline materials and intermetallics.
The Ph.D. programme requires proficiency in mathematics and physics at the MSc. degree level obtained from Faculty of Science or Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

prof. RNDr. Petr Dub, CSc.

1. Ab initio study of phase stability of multicomponent alloys

   Relative stability of phases for different alloys can be successfully studied with help so called first-principle or ab initio simulations. These methods are based only on basic postulates of quantum mechanics and do not need any input experimental data. Obtained results will be used as input data for advanced thermodynamic modeling. Dissertation work will be focused on estimation of equilibrium structural parameters and heats of formations for different alloys and their relative stability with help of ab initio calculations. The PAW method implemented in simulation package VASP will be used these work. Calculations of phonon dispersions will be used for estimation of stability at different temperatures.

   Tutor: Zelený Martin, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Cyclic plasticity of materials produced by SLM technique

   Additive manufacturing technologies (AM) are in the focus of experts in materials processing area. These methods allow rapid prototyping of structural parts namely if conventional technologies are inconvenient or particular part cannot be produced in classical way. One of increasingly used methods for production of parts of high quality and low cost together with simple reproducibility is Selective Laser Melting method (SLM). For broader application of alloys produced by SLM technique it is necessary to know the connection between processing parameters, microstructure and mechanical properties. This relation should be addressed not only to static loading, but to dynamic and thermal loading (in combination with mechanical loading) as well. At the beginning of doctoral research it will be necessary to optimize processing parameters of studied materials in bulk with accent on minimal porosity and presence of defects. Cyclic plasticity, fatigue durability, microstructural/substructural changes as a response of investigated material to cyclic loading will be studied in the next phase of the research.

   Tutor: Pantělejev Libor, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Macro composite materials by cold spray deposition of heterogeneous powder blends

   The Cold Spray technique alows to deposit thiock layers of material useing also mixtures containing chemically different powders, thus giving the opportunity to buiol composite or gradient materials. The work will be aimed on finding potential systems with promising mechanical or other properties and optimizing their parameters by means of deposition proces optimization.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms in complex alloys

   Complex alloys containing elements in equimolar ratio belongs to perspective group of advanced materials with extremely good combination of strength and deformation properties, with potential to improved corrosion resistance and other application properties. Excellent mechanical properties are result of combination of strengthening and toughening micromechanisms, in particular nanotwinning and deformation induced plasticity due phase transformations. PhD project will be focused on design of these alloys based on theoretical knowledge supported by semiempirical findings from similar systems. Selected compositions will be experimentally prepared by casting and powder metallurgy route. Then, relationship between microstructure, fabrication procedures and final mechanical properties will be investigated. Special interest will be focused on characterisation and quantification of deformation mechanisms and phase compositions by advanced electron microscopy methods. As a result new complex alloys with optimised preparation procedures, known performance during mechanical loading and key application properties.

   Tutor: Dlouhý Ivo, prof. Ing., CSc.

5. Microstructural stability of materials processed by AM methods

   Additive manufacturing technologies (AM) are in the focus of experts in materials processing area. These methods allow rapid prototyping of structural parts namely if conventional technologies are inconvenient or particular part cannot be produced in classical way. One of increasingly used methods for production of parts of high quality and low cost together with simple reproducibility is Selective Laser Melting method (SLM). For broader application of alloys produced by SLM technique it is necessary to know the connection between processing parameters, microstructure and mechanical properties. This relation should be addressed not only to static loading, but to dynamic and thermal loading (in combination with mechanical loading) as well. At the beginning of doctoral research it will be necessary to optimize processing parameters of studied materials in bulk with accent on minimal porosity and presence of defects. Microstructural and substructural changes as a response of investigated material to mechanical and thermal loading will be studied in the next phase of the research.

   Tutor: Pantělejev Libor, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Properties of materials with surface layers applied by kinetic deposition

   Cold Spray is a method where, in contrast to conventional processes used in additive technologies (e.g. SLM), metallic powders are not melted during layer formation. Particles of the material of the formed layer are joined by intensive plastic deformation upon impact on the substrate. The method is currently studied both in terms of possible applications in the field of controlled structure formation and as a method for repairing damaged functional surfaces. In the frame of research work, the materials used for heavy loaded high temperature applications with applied layers using CS technology will be studied. The main aim of the work will be description of the interface layer/substrate properties during combined loading (mechanical load / temperature exposure).

   Tutor: Pantělejev Libor, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Semi-melt technology for multicomponent alloys

   Manufcturing alloys in mushy state is possible due to the temperature interval during which most of tahcnical alloys crystalliize. the work wil be aimed at experimental developement of extrusion technique applicable at small scale.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. The influence of surace quality on the fatigue life of SLM manufactured materials

   Materials anufactured by SLM technique typically have very rough surfaces, which makes them very prone to fatigue cracks formation, The work whould be aimed at valuation of all possible techniques of changing the quality of the printed poarts surfaces so that the fatigue life could be enhanced. Specifically, the techniques should also allow the modifications of inner surfaces of architectured materials with internal beam structure.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.