7^th Research Framework Programme of the EU (FP7), Marie-Curie-Actions - Initial Training Networks, the project Macro, Micro and Nano Aspects of Machining - MAMINA

The use of titanium, nickel-base, and cobalt-base alloys is necessary for the production of turbine parts and other components in the aerospace and the power generation industry due to their high strength even in the high temperature regime. On the other hand, these materials are known as the most difficult-to-machine metallic materials and so far, only small progress has been made to improve their machinability. During the production of turbine components up to 50% of the manufacturing costs can be related to machining.

The MAMINA project will therefore combine the work of nineteen European universities, research institutions and industrial companies to analyse and improve the machinability of three selected alloys that are widely used in industry, namely Ti15V3Cr3Al3Sn (a titanium-base beta-alloy), Inconel IN706 (a nickel-base superalloy) and X40 (a cobalt-base alloy). As the chip formation is one of the key factors influencing the machinability of these materials, this process will be studied in detail in a multidisciplinary approach. 24 early stage researchers from the fields of theoretical physics, materials science and mechanical engineering will work on metal cutting experiments, material analyses and simulations at the macro, micro- and nano-scale.

Within the PhD-project Development of Free-machining Alloys (ESR 1) new high-performance alloys will be developed, produced and analysed with respect to improved machinability. Parts of the material characterisation will be carried out at partners of the consortium, namely EMPA, Switzerland, the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia, and the industrial partners SAFA, GfE Metals and Materials and ThyssenKrupp Titanium in close cooperation with the other young scientists of the MAMINA consortium. In addition to the research activities the education will be completed by the attendance of a unique training programme.

To apply:

The project is planned to start on November 1^st 2008. The position will be salaried according to the financial guidelines of FP7. Interested candidates having a diploma/master degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, physics or chemistry are asked to submit their application via the web interface of the MAMINA homepage www.mamina.eu. In case of questions do not hesitate to contact the coordinator, coordinator@mamina.eu.