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The Materials Engineering Group’s research is based around three areas: residual stress measurement using advanced experimental techniques; materials characterization for novel materials and for structural integrity assessments; and high temperature materials behaviour and performance.
We are world leaders in the development and application of neutron and synchrotron X-ray methods for residual stress measurement in materials. We work closely with partners in industry, particularly in the aerospace and nuclear power sectors. The group has a thriving research student community, with access to excellent research facilities and internationally-leading expertise.
Key facts
- Very strong links with industry
- 100 per cent record of employment of students on completion of their PhD
- 90 per cent of our research ranked as being of international quality
- Large research group of 40 students, researchers and academics
- Excellent opportunities for work at international facilities
Facilities
Our research is supported by well-equipped, state-of-the-art mechanical testing facilities, analytical facilities for electron and optical microscopy, elemental analysis, thermal analysis, mechanical and X-ray stress analysis and heat treatment. A dedicated suite of high-performance workstations and servers running a range of finite element and analytical packages is also available. Our group is an intensive user of national and international neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities.
Further information
If you have an enquiry specific to this research area please contact:
- Name:
- Professor Michael Fitzpatrick
- Email:
- mct-ddem-enquiries@open.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1908 655799
For general enquiries please contact the Research Degrees Team via the link under ‘Your questions’ on the right of the page.
Publications
Research publications by Open University staff are available through Open Research Online (ORO), the university's repository of research publications and other research outputs. ORO can be searched or browsed by staff name or subject.
The following list, generated from ORO, provides a flavour of the most recently published work in Materials Engineering:
- Masteika, V.; Kowal, J.; Braithwaite, N St.J and Rogers, T. (2013). The effect of atmospheric moisture on crack propagation in the interface between directly bonded silicon wafers. Microsystem Technologies, 19(5) pp. 705–712.
- Traore, Y.; Paddea, S.; Bouchard, P. J. and Gharghouri, M. A. (2013). Measurement of the residual stress tensor in a compact tension weld specimen. Experimental Mechanics, 53(4) pp. 605–618.
- Hosseinzadeh, F. and Bouchard, P. J. (2013). Mapping multiple components of the residual stress tensor in a large P91 steel pipe girth weld using a single contour cut. Experimental Mechanics, 53(2) pp. 171–181.
- Rao, Ashwin; Bouchard, P. John; Northover, Shirley M. and Fitzpatrick, Michael E. (2012). Anelasticity in austenitic stainless steel. Acta Materialia, 60(19) 6851 -6861.
- Kundu, A.; Bouchard, P. J.; Kumar, S.; Venkata, K. A.; Francis, J. A.; Paradowska, A.; Dey, G. K. and Truman, C. E. (2012). Residual stresses in P91 steel electron beam welds. Science and Technology of Welding & Joining (Early Access).
- More publications relating to Materials Engineering
Research degrees
Your questions
For advice about applying for a research degree, or sponsoring a research student, send us an email or call +44 (0)1908 654882.