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. Preparation of advanced ZTA ceramics

   The topic of the PhD study is focused on preparation of advanced AL2O3 ceramics toughened by zirconium dioxide. The main task of the student will contain a study of bulk ceramics processing using Al2O3 particles of various size and toughening and strengthening of such ceramics by submicrometre- and nanometre-sized grains of zirconium dioxide. The objective of the research will be evaluation of the effects of composition and processing conditions on properties of sintered ZTA composites, mainly on their mechanical properties.

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

2. 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.