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. Miroslav Liška, DrSc.

1. Advanced microstructures of titanium aluminates - mechanical response and antioxidation resistance

   The effect of microstructure and phase composition of advanced TiAl based intermetalic alloy affected by high temperature exposition on its response during mechanical loading is to be investigated. Based on analyses of surface layers using x-ray, microstructural and microanalytic methods the effort will be focused on (i) suggestion of mechanisms for anti-oxidation barriers coatings based on selected metal implementation into surface (e.g. Al, Pt a Al, Cr), (ii) optimisation of selected system for their oxidation resistance, and (iii) explanation of the effect of surface formed at thermal exposition in oxidising environments on deformation behaviour and strength properties of the selected alloy. As an experimental alloy the work will exploit the results of previous activity in this field and alloy with increased Nb content will be used.

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

2. Bioceramic materials for advanced medical applications

   Thesis is foccused on the study of bioceramic materials on the base of zirconia, alumina, composite oxides of Zr, Al, Ti, calcium phosphates and biosilicate materials for advanced medical applications, namely stomatological and orthopaedical applications. The main goal of the thesis is study of relations between synthesis, structure, morphology and complex physical-biochemical properties of heterostructural inorganic composite biomaterials. The thesis is oriented on these types of bioceramic materials: advanced bioceramic materials with controlled biocompatibility with body tissues, surface modificators of bioceramic materials and mashinable bioceramics for advanced (namely stomatological) CAD/CAM technology. In addition to technological problems (ceramic particles modification, shaping, sintering and mashining) the structure of bioceramics, mechanical properties and biological properties (bioactivity, biocompatibility and reparation) will be studied.

   Tutor: Cihlář Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.

3. Development of long fibre composites with pyrolyzed resin matrix predetermined for high temperature applications

   Development of new composite materials with matrix formed by pyrolyzed polysiloxan resin matrix reinforced by long ceramic Al2O3 and/or SiC fibres. Evaluation of matrix properties and optimisation of composite properties with respect to long term resistance to high temperature and mechanical loading. Technique of microdeformation field imaging by contactless 3D methods will be applied for analyses of deformation fields, necessary for numerical modelling of optimal configuration of fiber-matrix interface. Interpretation of results obtained including investigation of micromechanisms of failures in the material investigated. Laboratories of Institute of Physics of Materials and in collaboration within the running project also laboratories of Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics will be available for the work.

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

4. Hi temperature protective layers prepared by electroforetic methods

   The theme deals with designing a suitable chemical composition for EPD deposited ceramic isolation layer with TBC functionality. The layer will be deposited by EPD technique which requires also the solving of compaction of the greeneramic material on metallic substrate. Further questions inclute thermal expansion compatibility and the level of oxidation protection.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Identification of pre-initiatory stages of fatigue damage by means of methods of non-destructive testing of materials.

   The target of this work is to elaborate and verify the methodology of identification of structural changes that take place in cyclically loaded materials - in period before inception of short crack. Attention will be aimed above all on application of method of acoustic emission, X - ray diffraction and next suitable procedures of non-destructive testing of materials.

   Tutor: Mazal Pavel, doc. Ing., CSc.

6. Mechanical response and fracture of functionally gradient laminates (composites)

   Experimental methods of fracture toughness evaluation of composite materials arising from ceramic laminates. Suggestion of suitable sample geometry for tests of interface strength, development of reproducible test methodology including results interpretation. Comparisons of flexural strength and fracture mechanics parameters for selected experimental materials, functionally gradient structural ceramics and advanced laminates with ceramic and composite layers. Modelling of fracture behaviour and fracture trajectory, model verification, design of mechanically optimised composite. Collaboration with Materials Science Centre Leoben is supposed.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

7. Mechanical response and fracture of functionally gradient laminates (composites)

   Experimental methods of fracture toughness evaluation of composite materials arising from ceramic laminates. Suggestion of suitable sample geometry for tests of interface strength, development of reproducible test methodology including results interpretation. Comparisons of flexural strength and fracture mechanics parameters for selected experimental materials, functionally gradient structural ceramics and advanced laminates with ceramic and composite layers. Modelling of fracture behaviour and fracture trajectory, model verification, design of mechanically optimised composite. Collaboration with Materials Science Centre Leoben is supposed.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

8. Metal-ceramic coatings for high temperature aplications of intermetallics and superalloys

   The topic deals with preparation of metallic coatings, optimization of preparation and subsequent oxidation parameters and characterisation of oxidarion resistance of the obtained final coatings. The aim of the study is a technology proposal for coating technique.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

9. Processing of ceramic materials for advanced applications

   The subject of the PhD study is focused on processing of ceramic materials with tailored structure, chemical and phase composition of grains and grain boundaries, and with minimal amount of imperfections (dislocations, precipitates, intergranular phases, chemically unstable regions). The research should lead to better understanding of all processing steps (powder preparation, shaping and sintering) of bulk (resp. layered) ceramic materials and composites, and thus to development of "new" ceramic materials with unique mechanical, optical, biological, magnetical or electrical properties with broad spectra of applications.

   Tutor: Maca Karel, prof. RNDr., Dr.

10. Shaping of ceramic nanoparticles by colloidal approaches

    The subject of the PhD study is focused on shaping and compaction of nanoceramic oxide particles. The main task of the student will contain a study of bulk ceramics processing using ceramic particles with size below 100 nm via wet shaping methods. The research will concern primarily with methods of direct consolidation of ceramic particles. A common difficulty of all these methods lies in the preparation of a stable concentrated suspension of nanoparticles with appropriate viscosity. The solution of the problem assumes understanding and utilization of colloidal chemistry and rheology of ceramic suspensions.

    Tutor: Trunec Martin, prof. Ing., Dr.

11. Slip localization in cyclic straining of crystalline materials

    The localization of the cyclic plastic strain in persistent slip bands (PSBs) is the typical and very important feature in fatigue damage process of crystalline materials leading to surface relief evolution and subsequently to transcrystalline fatigue crack initiation. The aim of the study will be examination of the PSB slip activity in half- and full loading cycle within individual grains of a polycrystal and its evolution during fatigue life. High-resolution techniques – scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) simultaneously with electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) method will be adopted. Early stages of evolution of dislocation structures of PSBs will be studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI). Experimental data on on the half- and full cycle slip activity as well as the local shear strain amplitudes and their distribution in PSBs will be obtained. Experimental results obtained advance our understanding of fundamental micromechanisms of fatigue crack initiation.

    Tutor: Man Jiří, Ing., Ph.D.

12. Study of substructural changes of ultra-fine grained Mg-alloys during cyclic loading and thermal exposition

    The subject of PhD study is focused on studying the structural and sub-structural changes in ultra-fine grained materials, prepared by severe plastic deformation, under cyclic loading conditions and during thermal exposition. The results obtained during this research work should contribute to better understanding of the stability of (sub)grain boundaries of UFG materials, for which the microstructural instability is an inherent attribute. Electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) will be used for evaluation of microstructural changes as a main tool.

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

13. Synergy process of fatigue-creep in Ni superalloys and TiAl alloys

    Tutor: Obrtlík Karel, doc. RNDr., CSc.