Program Overview

Modelling slip bands and short crack growth in Ni-based superalloys using discrete crystal plasticity

Qualification(s) available: PhD

• Entry requirements:
  • 2:1+
  • Full-time: 3 years
  • Part-time: 6 years
  • Start date: October 2025, January 2026, April 2026
  • Application deadline: April 2026
  • Project reference: UF-KB-2025-2
  • Location: Loughborough
  • Subject area(s): Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Project details

In metal fatigue, microplastic strain localisation leads to the formation of discrete slip bands, which contribute to the initiation and propagation of short cracks. While these phenomena are well-documented experimentally, their modelling remains time-consuming and limited to small volumes, not practical for engineering applications. Hence, there is an imminent need for methods that predict the development of such deformation states and provide early signs of damage in structural components.

This project aims to investigate the initiation and evolution of slip bands and their role in the formation of short fatigue cracks in Ni-based superalloys. The project work plan offers a unique opportunity for skills acquisition as it combines experimentation and advanced numerical simulations. Novel numerical tools (peridynamics, phase-field method) will be used with established crystal plasticity theories to describe the deformation at the microscale. In parallel, state-of-the-art experimentation (SEM/TEM) will be employed to study the low-cycle fatigue behaviour of these alloys under room and high temperatures. These datasets will be further used to calibrate and validate the numerical models developed in this project.

The produced results are expected to directly impact the design of safety-critical components, such as gas turbine blades.

Supervisors

• Primary supervisor: Dr Konstantinos Baxevanakis

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please see below:

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

• Applicants should have or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one of these areas will be an advantage.

International entry requirements

The following are the entry requirements for various countries:

• Afghanistan:
  • Masters: 95%
  • Upper second-class honours: 85%
  • Lower second-class honours: 70%
• Albania:
  • Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010)): 9.5, 8.5, 8
• Algeria:
  • Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures: 16, 14, 12
• Argentina:
  • Licenciatura/ Licenciado (4 year): 8.5, 7.5, 6.0
• Armenia:
  • Bakalavri Kochum required but typically a Magistrosi Kochum: 90%, 80%, 70%
• Australia:
  • Honours degree (AQF level 8): First Class, 80%, Upper Second, 70%, H2A, Lower Second, 60%, H2B
  • Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50): High Distinction (80% or 85%), Distinction (75% or 80%), Distinction (70% or 75%)
• Austria:
  • Degree / Diplomstudium / Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH)): A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden, 60% / B / (or 2), 60% / B / (or 2)
• Azerbaijan:
  • Bakalavr Diplomu/ Diplomu (Specialist Diploma): 4.5 or 90%, 4 or 80%, 3.5 or 70%
• Bahamas:
  • Degree from University of the West Indies only: 1st (GPA 3.6), 2:1 (GPA 3.0), 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
• Bahrain:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
• Bangladesh:
  • 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (IEB and BAETE accredited courses up to 2024)
  • Any 4 year Bachelor degree or BSc in Nursing (2025 onwards): 1st (70%) / 3.5, 2nd (60%) / 3.0, 2nd (55%) / 2.75
  • Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree: 80% / 4.0, 65% / 3.25, 50% / 2.5
• Barbados:
  • University of the West Indies, Honours degree: 1st (GPA 3.6), 2:1 (GPA 3.0), 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
  • Barbados Community College: 1st or GPA 3.75, 2:1 or GPA 3.5, 2:2 or GPA 3.0
• Belarus:
  • Specialist Diploma (5Yr): 9, 7, 5
• Belgium:
  • Bachelor degree/Licenciaat/Licencie: 80% or 17, 70% or 14, 60% or 12
• Belize:
  • Degree from University of the West Indies only: 1st (GPA 3.6), 2:1 (GPA 3.0), 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
• Benin:
  • Maitrise: 18, 15 or Bien, 12 or Assez Bien
• Bermuda:
  • Degree from University of the West Indies only: 1st (GPA 3.6), 2:1 (GPA 3.0), 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
• Bolivia:
  • A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private): 85/78, 75/66, 67/55
• Bosnia and Herzegovina:
  • Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani: 10, 9, 8
• Botswana:
  • Master's degree: A or 80%, B or 70%, C or 60%
• Brazil:
  • Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional: 8.5, 7.5, 6.5
• Brunei:
  • Brunei: First, Upper Second (60%/B/3.1), Lower Second (50% or C or 2.5)
• Bulgaria:
  • 5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education): 6, 5, 4
• Burundi:
  • Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies or Diplôme Ingénieur (professional title): 18, 15/20 (Bien), 12.5/20 (Assez Bien)
• Cambodia:
  • Masters: 80% or B+ or 3.5, 70% or B or 3.0, 60% or C+ or 2.5
• Cameroon:
  • Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce or Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise, 4 year Licence or Master 1 (M1): 1st / 3.6 or 15/Tres Bien, 2:1 / GPA 3.0 or 14 / Bien, 2:2 / GPA 2.5 or 12.5/ Assez Bien
• Canada:
  • GPA 4.0/Percentage: 3.7/85%, 3.3/75%, 2.7/68%
  • Out of 9: 8, 6, 5
  • Out of 12: 10, 8, 6
• Chile:
  • Grado de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 6, 5.5, 5
• China:
  • Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:
    • Shanghai Rank Top 250: 83%, 79%, 75%, 73%, 70%
    • Shanghai Rank 251-500: 88%, 84%, 80%, 78%, 75%
    • Shanghai Rank 501+: 92%, 87%, 84%, 82%, 80%
• Colombia:
  • Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 4.5, 3.75, 3.2
• Costa Rica:
  • Licenciado: 9, 8 or 80%, 7 or 75%
• Croatia:
  • Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik: 4.5, 3.8, 3.0
• Cuba:
  • 4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura: 5, 4, 3
• Cyprus:
  • Cyprus: 8.5, 7.0, 6.5
• Czech Republic:
  • Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr: 1, 1.5, 2
• Denmark:
  • 5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale): 12, 10, 7
• Dominican Republic:
  • 4 year Licenciado or Título de [subject area]: 3.8, Magna Cum Laude or 3.5 or 85%, Cum Laude or 3.2 or 82%
• Ecuador:
  • Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 8.5 / 85%, 8 / 80%, 7 / 70%
• Egypt:
  • Egypt: 3.5, 3.2, 2.8
  • Universities only: BA 90%, BSc 85%, BA 80%, BSc 75%, BA 65%, BSc 65%
• El Salvador:
  • 5 year Licenciado, Título de Ingeniero/Arquitecto: 8.5, 85%, 7.5, 75% or Muy Bueno, 6.5, 65% or Bueno
• Estonia:
  • Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad: 5 or 91% or A, 4 or 81% or B, 3 or 71% or C
• Ethiopia:
  • Masters (up to 2025): A / GPA 4.0, A / GPA 3.5, B / GPA 2.8
  • 4-year Bachelor degree with thesis (from 2024): A / GPA 4.0, A / GPA 3.5, B / GPA 2.8
  • 5-year Bachelor degree (from 2025): A / GPA 4.0, A / GPA 3.5, B / GPA 2.8
• Finland:
  • Kandidaattii/Kandidat or the Maisteri/Magister: 3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5), 2 (out of 3) or 3 (out of 5), 1 (out of 3) or 2.5 (out of 5)
• France:
  • Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur: 14, 13, 11
• Georgia:
  • 4-year degree (% = new system): 5 (95%), 4.0 (85%), 3.5 (75%)
• Germany:
  • German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung: 1.5, 2.5, 3.0
• Ghana:
  • Ghana: First, Upper second/60%, Lower second/50%
• Greece:
  • Universities: 8.5, 7.0, 6
  • TEI and non-University Institutions: 8.5, 7, 6.5
• Grenada:
  • Degree from University of West Indies - classification: 1st, 70% (GPA 3.6), 2:1, 60% (GPA 3.00), 2:2, 50% (GPA 2.5)
  • Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage: A, B / 75%, C / 55%
  • Degree from University of West Indies - GPA: 3.6, 3.0, 2.0
• Guatemala:
  • Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4 years: 90% (public university) / 95% (private university), 80% (public university) / 85% (private university), 60% (public university) / 70% (private university)
• Guyana:
  • Master's: GPA 4, GPA 3.5, 3.0
• Honduras:
  • Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5: GPA 5 or 90%, GPA 4 or 80%, GPA 3.5 or 70%
• Hong Kong:
  • 1st or 3.5/4, 2:1or 3/4, 2:2 or 2.5/4, 2.5
• Hungary:
  • Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor: 4.5, 3.5, 3
• Iceland:
  • Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag: 8.5, 7.5, 6.5
• India:
  • Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework: 65% (First), 60% (First), 55% (Upper second)
  • All other Indian institutions: 70% (First with distinction), 65% (First), 60% (First)
• Indonesia:
  • Sarjana I (S1) from accredited Universities: 3.3, 3.0, 2.8
• Iran:
  • Iran: 17, 15, 13
• Iraq:
  • Iraq: 80%, 75%, 70%
• Ireland:
  • Republic of Ireland: First (70%), Upper second (60%), Lower second (50%)
• Israel:
  • 3 yr Bachelor Degree: 90%, 80%, 70%
• Italy:
  • Diploma di Laurea: 109/110, 100/110, 90/110
• Ivory Coast:
  • Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures: 16, 14 (Bien), 12 (Assez Bien)
• Jamaica:
  • For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ: 1st (GPA 3.6), 2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B, 2:2, 50% (GPA 2.5)
• Japan:
  • Gakushi – GPA 4.0 scale: 85% or A or 3.5, 80% or B or 3.0, 70% or C or 2.0
• Jordan:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3 or 3.5/5 or 75%, 2.5 (or 3.0/5) / 63%
• Kazakhstan:
  • GPA 5.0/percentage scale: 4.5 or 90%, 4 or 85%, 3.5 or 80%
  • GPA 4.33 scale: 3.9, 3.7, 3.2
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.7, 3.4, 3
• Kenya:
  • Kenya: First / 70% / A, Upper second / 60% / B, Lower second / 50% / C
• Kosovo:
  • Kosovo: 10, 9, 8
• Kuwait:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.6, 3.0, 2.6
• Latvia:
  • Latvia: 9, 7, 6
• Lebanon:
  • American: 90% (3.5), 80% (3.2), 70% (2.8)
  • French: 18, 15, 12
• Liberia:
  • Master's: 4.0 or 90%, 3.5 or 85%, 3 or 80%
• Libya:
  • BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine: 85 (3.6), 75 (3.0), 65 (2.5)
  • Other bachelor's degree from a university: 90 (4.0), 85% (3.6), 75% (3.0)
• Lithuania:
  • Lithuania: 9, 8, 7
• Luxembourg:
  • Luxembourg: 18 (excellent), 16 (tres Bien), 14 (bien)
• Macau:
  • Macau: 1st or GPA 3.7, 2:1 or GPA 3.0, 2:2 or GPA 2.5
• Macedonia:
  • Magistar Дипломиран / Баццалауреус / Баццалауреа (Bachelor degree): 10, 9, 8
• Malawi:
  • Master's only: MSc 75%, MSc 70%, MSc 65%
• Malaysia:
  • Classification: First Class, 2.1, GPA 2.5
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
• Malta:
  • Malta: 1st (80%), 2:1 (70%), 2:2 (55%)
• Mauritius:
  • Mauritius: 1st or 70%, 2:1 or 60%, 2:2 or 50%
• Mexico:
  • Licenciatura / Licenciado/ Título de [subject area]: 8.5, 8, 7
• Moldova:
  • Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate): 9, 8, 7
• Mongolia:
  • Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma): 90% or 3.5, 80% or GPA 3.2, 70% or GPA 3.0
• Montenegro:
  • Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies or Diploma of Professional Undergraduate Studies: 10 (or 5.0), 9 (or 4.5), 8 (or 4.0)
• Morocco:
  • Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion, Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle: 16, 14, 12
• Mozambique:
  • Mestrado/ Grau de Mastre: 16, 14, 12
• Myanmar (Burma):
  • 2 year Master's degree: 5 or 85%, 5 or 75%, 4.5 or 65%
• Namibia:
  • 4-year Bachelor Honours (post 2008) or Masters: 80% or A, 70% or B, 60% or C
• Nepal:
  • 4 -year professional degree or Masters (after 3-year Bachelor degree): 80% or 3.7 GPA, 65% or 3.3 GPA, 60% or 3.0 GPA
• Netherlands:
  • Netherlands: 8, 7, 6
• New Zealand:
  • 4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8: First (7.0), Upper Second (6.0), Lower Second (4.0)
  • 3 Year degree (360 credits) - Level 7: A+ (9.0), A- (7.0), B+ (6.0)
• Nicaragua:
  • Licenciatura (4 year): 90%, 80%, 70%
• Nigeria:
  • 7 point Scale: 6, 5, 3.0
  • 5 point scale: 4.5, 3.8, 3.5
  • 4 point scale: 3.5, 3, 2.5
• Norway:
  • Norway: A / 1.8, B / 2.3, C / 3.0
• Oman:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.5
• Pakistan:
  • 4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 options): A- or GPA 3.7, B or GPA 3.0, C+ or GPA 2.6
  • 2 or 3 year Bachelor plus Masters: 1st (60%) plus GPA 3.7, 2nd (55%) plus GPA 3.0, 2nd (50%) plus GPA 2.6
• Palestine:
  • Bachelor (4-years): (85%) 3.5, (80%) 3.0, (70%) 2.5
• Panama:
  • 4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 91 (A), 81 (B), 71 (C)
• Papua New Guinea:
  • Bachelor (Honours) Degree: 1st, 2:1, 2:2
• Paraguay:
  • 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 4.5 (85%), 4 (80%), 3.5 (75%)
• Peru:
  • 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]: 14, 13, 12
• Philippines:
  • Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE): Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0, Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5, Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0
• Poland:
  • Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003): 5, 4.5, 4
• Portugal:
  • Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) or Licenciado: 18, 16, 14
• Qatar:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
• Romania:
  • Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer: 9, 8, 7
• Russia:
  • Bakalavr/Specialist Diploma/Magistr: 4.5, 4.0, 3.5
• Rwanda:
  • 4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits): 1st, 16/20 (80%), 2:1,14/20 (70%), 2:2, 12/20 (60%)
• Saudi Arabia:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
  • GPA 5.0 scale: 4.5, 3.75, 3.5
• Senegal:
  • Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees: 16/20 or Tres Bien, 14/20 or Bien, 12/20 or Assez Bien
• Serbia:
  • Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree: 9, 8, 7
• Sierra Leone:
  • Honours degree or masters: 1st (70%), 2:1 (60% or B), 2:2 (50% or C)
• Singapore:
  • Bachelor (Hons): First, Upper second, Lower second
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.7, 3.0, 2.7
  • GPA 5.0 scale: 4.5, 3.5, 3.0
• Slovakia:
  • Bakalár (from 2005) Magister / Inzinier: 1.5 or B, 2.0 or C, 2.5 or C/high D
• Slovenia:
  • University Diplom: 9, 8, 7
• South Africa:
  • Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech after 4 yrs study: 1st or 75%, 2:1 or 70%, 2:2 or 60%
• South Korea:
  • GPA out of 4.5: 3.8 / B+, 3.2 / B, 2.8 / C+
  • GPA out of 4.3: 3.8 / B+, 2.9 / C+, 2.7 / C+
• Spain:
  • Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto: 8.5, 7, 6.5
  • UCM grading: 3.0, 2.0, 1.5
• Sri Lanka:
  • 4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree: 90%, GPA 3.70, 80%, GPA 3.30, 70%, GPA 3.0
• Sudan:
  • 4 year degree: 1st, 70%, B+, 2:1, 66%, mid 2:2, 60%, B
• Sweden:
  • Kandidatexamen or Magisterexamen: Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 120 credits at VG, B or Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG, C or Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G
• Switzerland:
  • Bachelor Degree, Diplom or Lizentiat (10/6/5): 10 / 5.5 / 1, 8 / 5 / 2, 6 / 4 / 3
• Syria:
  • State universities 4 years of study: 80%, 75%, 60%
  • Private universities 4 years of study: 90%, 80%, 70%
• Taiwan:
  • Category 1 (4 year degree): 80%, 75%, 70%
  • Category 2 (4 year degree): 85%, 80%, 75%
• Tajikistan:
  • Диплом специалиста - Specialist Diploma: 5, 4.5, 4
• Tanzania:
  • Tanzania: 1st, 2:1, 2:2
• Thailand:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
• Trinidad and Tobago:
  • For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT: 1st or GPA 3.6, 2:1 or GPA 3.0, 2:2 or GPA 2.5
• Tunisia:
  • Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu: 16 (tres bien), 14 (bien), 11 (assez bien)
• Turkey:
  • Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi: 3.5, 3, 2.5
• Turkmenistan:
  • 4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr: 5, 4.5, 4
• Uganda:
  • Uganda: 1st or 4.4, 2:1 or 3.8, 2:2 or 3.0
• Ukraine:
  • Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5): 4.5, 4.0, 3.5
• United Arab Emirates:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.6
• United States of America:
  • GPA 4.0 scale: 3.5, 3.2, 2.8
• Uruguay:
  • Licenciado (4 year): 9, 8, 7
• Uzbekistan:
  • Majistr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma): 90% or GPA 4.5, 80% or GPA 4.0, 70% or GPA 3.5
• Venezuela:
  • Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year): 18/20 or 8/9, 16/20 or 7/9, 14/20 or 6/9
• Vietnam:
  • 10-point scale: 8.0, 7.0, 6.0
  • 4-point scale: 3.5, 3.0, 2.8
• Zambia:
  • Master's: A or 4.0 or 80%, B+, 3.5 or 70%, B or 3.0 or 60%
• Zimbabwe:
  • 3/4 year degree: 1st or 75%, 2:1 or 65%, 2:2 or 60%

Fees and funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’. Please quote reference number: UF-KB-2025-2