Tamsin Whitfield

My research focusses on developing materials to improve efficiency within the aerospace and automotive industries and enable implementation of low carbon power and technologies. I determine microstructural formation mechanisms, stability and degradation within compositionally complex alloy systems, linking this to the key properties of the alloys to inform the design, development and optimisation of engineering alloys. 

I am particularly interested in novel refractory metal and lightweight alloy systems, designing alloys that provide a balance of key properties for engineering applications with extreme operating environments such as the core of gas turbine engines and fusion reactors. In order to understand the microstructural evolution of the alloy I primarily use a combination of SEM and TEM imaging, EDX and diffraction, along with X-ray diffraction. I am especially interested in how the microstructural evolution effects mechanical properties and oxidation behaviour. 

I am currently funded by an RAEng Research Fellowship.  My fellowship project “Faster, hotter, stronger: designing alloys for a lighter carbon footprint” explores the stability of refractory metal superalloys, which could increase the operating efficiency of aeroengines and SMART-W alloys for fusion power. I will be developing ways to stabilise these alloys, or harness the metastability, assessing the implications for oxidation performance, mechanical properties and irradiation damage tolerance. I will also be exploring microstructural design of lightweight high entropy alloys for additive manufacturing of light components, to increase the efficiency and range of electric vehicles.