Professor James Sullivan

Professor

Materials Science and Engineering

+44 (0) 1792 602495

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Academic Office - A228
Second Floor
Engineering East
Bay Campus

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1018-773X

About

James Sullivan's research is focused on the links between microstructure and the corrosion behaviour of materials with a particular interest in zinc alloys for galvanic protection.

James has developed a novel time lapse imaging technique that can visualise corrosion mechanisms and preferential phase attack of microstructures in-situ under electrolyte films. The work was presented at the prestigious Gordon Research Conference on aqueous corrosion in 2012 and is published in Corrosion Science.

James is a co-director of the Materials Academy at Swansea University that provides flexible and accessible training to standard entry students and industrial employees from work based learning through to doctorate level and this has been achieved with a grant income of £15million over the past four years.

The Materials Academy provides training and research to a large base of industry partners including Tata Steel, BASF, European Space Agency, The Royal Mint, NSG Pilkington and many others.

The Materials Academy hosts the COATED2 EPSRC Centre for doctoral training in industrial functional coatings that will train 40 new doctorate researchers from 2015. This is a prestigious scheme and is one of only two CDTs hosted in Wales.

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Metals: Advanced Manufacturing and Protection
Interpersonal Skills for Engineers
Literature Review of Industrial Problems
Degradation of materials
Employee Relations Awareness
Innovation to Commercialisation

Publications

Research Highlights

Bolton, R., Dunlop, T., Sullivan, J., Searle, J., Heinrich, H., Westerwaal, R., Boelsma, C., & Williams, G. (2019). Studying the Influence of Mg Content on the Microstructure and Associated Localized Corrosion Behavior of Zn-Mg PVD Coatings Using SVET-TLI. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3305-C3315.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0391911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50511
Wint, N., Khan, K., Sullivan, J., & McMurray, H. (2019). Concentration Effects on the Spatial Interaction of Corrosion Pits Occurring on Zinc in Dilute Aqueous Sodium Chloride. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3028-C3038.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0051911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48421
Dunlop, T., Jarvis, D., Voice, W., Sullivan, J., & Sullivan, J. (2018). Stabilization of molten salt materials using metal chlorides for solar thermal storage. Scientific Reports, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26537-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40539
Lewis, T., Sullivan, J., Cooze, N., Gallagher, C., Lewis, T., Prosek, T., & Thierry, D. (2015). In situ monitoring of corrosion mechanisms and phosphate inhibitor surface deposition during corrosion of zinc–magnesium–aluminium (ZMA) alloys using novel time-lapse microscopy. Faraday Discuss., 180, 361-379.
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4FD00251B, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21370
Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Elvins, J., & Khan, K. (2016). The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the microstructure and corrosion rate of a Zn–4.8wt.% Al galvanising alloy used in high performance construction coatings. Surface and Coatings Technology, 306, 480-489.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.01.050, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26013
Wint, N., Leung, J., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., & Gao, Y. (2018). The galvanic corrosion of welded ultra-high strength steels used for automotive applications. Corrosion Science, 136, 366-373.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2018.03.025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39106
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2018.03.025
Wint, N., Sullivan, J., & Penney, D. (2017). The Role of pH on the Inhibition of Aqueous Zinc Corrosion by L-tryptophan. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 164(7), C356-C366.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0981707jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33650
Sullivan, J., Worsley, D., & Sullivan, J. (2002). Zinc runoff from galvanised steel materials exposed in an industrial marine environment. , 282-288.
https://doi.org/10.1179/000705902225006697, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa2034
Böhm, S., Sullivan, J., Worsley, D., & Sullivan, J. (2001). A New Corrosion Test For Organically Coated Galvanised Steel Products. , 540-545.
https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4176(200107)52:7<540::AID-MACO540>3.0.CO;2-S, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa2035
Sullivan, J. & Whittaker, M. (2011). Variability in the mechanical properties and processing conditions of a High Strength Low Alloy steel. Procedia Engineering
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.04.020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5714
Sullivan, J. (2008). Corrosion Performance Evaluation of Zn/Al Galvanized Steels Using the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET).
https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3040293, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5715
Sullivan, J. & Worsley, D. (2009). Synthesis of nanostructured ruthenium microwires in domestic microwave oven. Materials Science and Technology
https://doi.org/10.1179/174328408X307283, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5716
Sullivan, J., Weirman, C., Kennedy, J., & Penney, D. (2010). Influence of steel gauge on the microstructure and corrosion performance of zinc alloy coated steels. Corrosion Science, 52(5), 1853-1862.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2010.02.032, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5717
Elvins, J., Spittle, J., Sullivan, J., & Worsley, D. (2008). The effect of magnesium additions on the microstructure and cut edge corrosion resistance of zinc aluminium alloy galvanised steel. Corrosion Science, 50(6), 1650-1658.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2008.02.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5718
Sullivan, J. & Worsley, D. (2009). Evolution and fractal growth of micro/nano structured wires of ruthenium synthesised by microwave irradiation of ruthenium dioxide. Materials Letters, 63(27), 2335-2338.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2009.07.065, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5719
Sullivan, J., Mehraban, S., & Elvins, J. (2011). In situ monitoring of the microstructural corrosion mechanisms of zinc–magnesium–aluminium alloys using time lapse microscopy. Corrosion Science, 53(6), 2208-2215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2011.02.043, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5720
Frankel, G., Thornton, G., Street, S., Rayment, T., Williams, D., Cook, A., Davenport, A., Gibbon, S., Engelberg, D., Örnek, C., Mol, A., Marcus, P., Shoesmith, D., Wren, C., Yliniemi, K., Williams, G., Lyon, S., Lindsay, R., Hughes, T...., & Sullivan, J. (2015). Localised corrosion: general discussion. Faraday Discuss.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fd90046h, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22331
Mehraban, S., Malone, J., Lavery, N., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., & Brown, S. (2017). Increased Corrosion Resistance of Zinc Magnesium Aluminum Galvanised Coating through Germanium Additions. In ECS Transactions (pp. 1-15).
https://doi.org/10.1149/07530.0001ecst, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32175
Wei, Z., Fung, C., Pockett, A., Dunlop, T., McGettrick, J., Heard, P., Guy, O., Carnie, M., Sullivan, J., & Watson, T. (2018). Engineering of a Mo/SixNy Diffusion Barrier to Reduce the Formation of MoS2 in Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Solar Cells. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1(6), 2749-2757.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.8b00401, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40527
Wint, N., Cooze, N., Searle, J., Sullivan, J., Williams, G., McMurray, H., Luckeneder, G., Riener, C., Cooze, N., Searle, J., & McMurray, H. (2019). The Effect of Microstructural Refinement on the Localized Corrosion of Model Zn-Al-Mg Alloy Coatings on Steel. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3147-C3158.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0171911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49978

All Research

Journal Articles

Alparone, G., Sullivan, J., Mills, C., Edy, J., & Penney, D. (2024). Dynamic Testing of Materials for Galvanising Pot Roll Bearings with Improved Performance. Materials, 17(23), 5837
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235837, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68393
Malla, A., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Goldsworthy, M., Britton, D., Williams, G., Goodwin, F., & Cardoso, A. (2024). Mechanistic investigation on the influence of coating weights on the corrosion behaviour of hot-dip-galvanised Zn-Mg-Al coatings. npj Materials Degradation, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-024-00494-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67467
Malla, A., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Sackett, E., Lancaster, R., & Barker, P. (2024). The Effect of Germanium Additions on the Mechanical Properties of Zn-Mg-Al Alloys. Metals, 14(7), 820
https://doi.org/10.3390/met14070820, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67176
Britton, D., Penney, D., Malla, A., Mehraban, S., Sullivan, J., Goldsworthy, M., McGettrick, J., Johnston, R., Mitchell, R., & Challinor, C. (2024). Effect of antimony additions on the microstructure and performance of Zn–Mg–Al alloy coatings. npj Materials Degradation, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-024-00481-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66612
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41529-024-00481-7
Douglas, R., Barnard, N., Lavery, N., Sullivan, J., Jones, T., & Lancaster, R. (2024). The effect of powder recycling on the mechanical performance of laser powder bed fused stainless steel 316L. Additive Manufacturing, 88, 104245
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2024.104245, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66598
Alparone, G., Penney, D., Sullivan, J., Edy, J., & Mills, C. (2024). Al2O3 Coatings for Protection of Stainless Steel 316L against Corrosion in Zn-Al and Zn-Al-Mg. Coatings, 14(5), 606
https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050606, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66461
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/coatings14050606
ALPARONE, G., Penney, D., Jewell, E., Sullivan, J., & Mills, C. (2023). The Effect of Sliding Speed on the Tribological Properties of Ceramic Materials. Materials, 16(23), 7252
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237252, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65094
Malla, A., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Dunlop, T., & Barker, P. (2023). Mechanistic study on the corrosion behaviour of Zinc and Zinc-Calcium alloys designed for enhanced metallic coatings in the presence of chloride and phosphate ions. Corrosion Science, 213, 110956
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2022.110956, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62266
Grech, I., Sullivan, J., Lancaster, R., Plummer, J., & Lavery, N. (2022). The optimisation of hot isostatic pressing treatments for enhanced mechanical and corrosion performance of stainless steel 316L produced by laser powder bed fusion. Additive Manufacturing, 58, 103072
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2022.103072, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60813
Wint, N., Malla, A., Cooze, N., Savill, T., Mehraban, S., Dunlop, T., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Williams, G., & McMurray, H. (2021). The ability of Mg2Ge crystals to behave as ‘smart release’ inhibitors of the aqueous corrosion of Zn-Al-Mg alloys. Corrosion Science, 179, 109091
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2020.109091, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55603
Bolton, R., Dunlop, T., Sullivan, J., Searle, J., Heinrich, H., Westerwaal, R., Boelsma, C., & Williams, G. (2019). Studying the Influence of Mg Content on the Microstructure and Associated Localized Corrosion Behavior of Zn-Mg PVD Coatings Using SVET-TLI. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3305-C3315.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0391911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50511
Wint, N., Cooze, N., Searle, J., Sullivan, J., Williams, G., McMurray, H., Luckeneder, G., Riener, C., Cooze, N., Searle, J., & McMurray, H. (2019). The Effect of Microstructural Refinement on the Localized Corrosion of Model Zn-Al-Mg Alloy Coatings on Steel. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3147-C3158.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0171911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49978
Wint, N., Khan, K., Sullivan, J., & McMurray, H. (2019). Concentration Effects on the Spatial Interaction of Corrosion Pits Occurring on Zinc in Dilute Aqueous Sodium Chloride. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 166(11), C3028-C3038.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0051911jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48421
Wei, Z., Fung, C., Pockett, A., Dunlop, T., McGettrick, J., Heard, P., Guy, O., Carnie, M., Sullivan, J., & Watson, T. (2018). Engineering of a Mo/SixNy Diffusion Barrier to Reduce the Formation of MoS2 in Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Solar Cells. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1(6), 2749-2757.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.8b00401, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40527
Dunlop, T., Jarvis, D., Voice, W., Sullivan, J., & Sullivan, J. (2018). Stabilization of molten salt materials using metal chlorides for solar thermal storage. Scientific Reports, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26537-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40539
Wint, N., Leung, J., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., & Gao, Y. (2018). The galvanic corrosion of welded ultra-high strength steels used for automotive applications. Corrosion Science, 136, 366-373.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2018.03.025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39106
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2018.03.025
Wint, N., Sullivan, J., & Penney, D. (2017). The Role of pH on the Inhibition of Aqueous Zinc Corrosion by L-tryptophan. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 164(7), C356-C366.
https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0981707jes, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33650
Sullivan, J., Penney, D., Elvins, J., & Khan, K. (2016). The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the microstructure and corrosion rate of a Zn–4.8wt.% Al galvanising alloy used in high performance construction coatings. Surface and Coatings Technology, 306, 480-489.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.01.050, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26013
Frankel, G., Thornton, G., Street, S., Rayment, T., Williams, D., Cook, A., Davenport, A., Gibbon, S., Engelberg, D., Örnek, C., Mol, A., Marcus, P., Shoesmith, D., Wren, C., Yliniemi, K., Williams, G., Lyon, S., Lindsay, R., Hughes, T...., & Sullivan, J. (2015). Localised corrosion: general discussion. Faraday Discuss.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fd90046h, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22331
Lewis, T., Sullivan, J., Cooze, N., Gallagher, C., Lewis, T., Prosek, T., & Thierry, D. (2015). In situ monitoring of corrosion mechanisms and phosphate inhibitor surface deposition during corrosion of zinc–magnesium–aluminium (ZMA) alloys using novel time-lapse microscopy. Faraday Discuss., 180, 361-379.
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4FD00251B, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21370
Sullivan, J. & Whittaker, M. (2011). Variability in the mechanical properties and processing conditions of a High Strength Low Alloy steel. Procedia Engineering
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.04.020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5714
Sullivan, J., Mehraban, S., & Elvins, J. (2011). In situ monitoring of the microstructural corrosion mechanisms of zinc–magnesium–aluminium alloys using time lapse microscopy. Corrosion Science, 53(6), 2208-2215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2011.02.043, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5720
Sullivan, J., Weirman, C., Kennedy, J., & Penney, D. (2010). Influence of steel gauge on the microstructure and corrosion performance of zinc alloy coated steels. Corrosion Science, 52(5), 1853-1862.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2010.02.032, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5717
Sullivan, J. & Worsley, D. (2009). Synthesis of nanostructured ruthenium microwires in domestic microwave oven. Materials Science and Technology
https://doi.org/10.1179/174328408X307283, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5716
Sullivan, J. & Worsley, D. (2009). Evolution and fractal growth of micro/nano structured wires of ruthenium synthesised by microwave irradiation of ruthenium dioxide. Materials Letters, 63(27), 2335-2338.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2009.07.065, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5719
Sullivan, J. (2008). Corrosion Performance Evaluation of Zn/Al Galvanized Steels Using the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET).
https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3040293, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5715
Elvins, J., Spittle, J., Sullivan, J., & Worsley, D. (2008). The effect of magnesium additions on the microstructure and cut edge corrosion resistance of zinc aluminium alloy galvanised steel. Corrosion Science, 50(6), 1650-1658.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2008.02.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5718
Sullivan, J., Worsley, D., & Sullivan, J. (2002). Zinc runoff from galvanised steel materials exposed in an industrial marine environment. , 282-288.
https://doi.org/10.1179/000705902225006697, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa2034
Böhm, S., Sullivan, J., Worsley, D., & Sullivan, J. (2001). A New Corrosion Test For Organically Coated Galvanised Steel Products. , 540-545.
https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4176(200107)52:7<540::AID-MACO540>3.0.CO;2-S, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa2035

Conference Contributions

Grech, I., Lavery, N., Wint, N., & Sullivan, J. (2019). Evaluating the Corrosion Performance of Wrought and Additively Manufactured (AM) Invar ® and 17-4PH. In Conference: Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (2019)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66165
Mehraban, S., Malone, J., Lavery, N., Sullivan, J., Penney, D., & Brown, S. (2017). Increased Corrosion Resistance of Zinc Magnesium Aluminum Galvanised Coating through Germanium Additions. In ECS Transactions (pp. 1-15).
https://doi.org/10.1149/07530.0001ecst, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32175

Supervision

Zinc Coating Innovations for Superior Corrosion Protection (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
The driving parameters for the cut edge corrosion of galvanised steel substrates with novel organic coatings.«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
“Optimisation of Next Generation Galvanising Pot Hardware” (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
Corrosion Behaviour of Additively Manufactured High Entropy Alloys (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Nicholas Lavery
The corrosion and mechanical performance of industry relevant additively manufactured steels and alloys (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Nicholas Lavery
Prevention of Corrosion in Cast Iron Water Mains (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
Development of Novel coatings for boron steel insurance in the hot stamping process (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
Characterisation of sustainable materials for can making (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Dr Eifion Jewell
Understanding the role of thin film pre-treatments on steel surfaces (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
Novel additions to enhance galvanic corrosion resistance in magnesium alloys (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
Novel Galvanic Coatings for airport ground support equipment (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
The factors affecting the corrosion of ductile cast iron (awarded 2024)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
The Adhesion of Protective Coatings to Novel REACH Compliant Packaging Steel Substrates (awarded 2023)

EngD

Other supervisor: Dr Eifion Jewell
Addition of alloying agents to improve the performance of Zn/Al metallic coated steel. (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof David Penney
Development of Novel Corrosion resistant Magnesium alloys (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
Super duplex stainless steels - the influence of copper and tungsten on the passivity and corrosion resistance. (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiatives in Postgraduate Engineering (current)

MSc

Other supervisor: Dr David Rea
The Effect of Copper and Tungsten Addition of the Passivity and Pitting Corrosion Resistance of Super Duplex Stainless Steels (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Geraint Williams

Taught Modules

EG-180 Introduction to Materials Engineering

The module aims to introduce year 1 Engineering students to the understanding of key concepts relating to materials selection and applications. Following completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate an appreciation of materials selection in relation to the structure/mechanical and physical properties/applications of metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials.
EG-387 Materials Degradation and Protection

Materials degradation, the loss in performance of an engineering system, is an evitable part of product life cycle. This can result in a loss of efficiency or even total component failure. Materials degradation processes can therefore lead to severe risks to safety, as well as economic loss. This module will familiarise students with industrially relevant physical and chemical failure mechanisms related to aqueous and high temperature corrosion and provide them with the skills needed to provide feasible engineering solutions to ensure that materials are protected. The module will consider the wide variety of ways in which corrosion can occur through environment, design and materials selection reasons thus bringing together the fundamental knowledge and applied skills.
EG-M341 Materials Degradation and Protection

Materials degradation, the loss in performance of an engineering system, is an evitable part of product life cycle. This can result in a loss of efficiency or even total component failure. Materials degradation processes can therefore lead to severe risks to safety, as well as economic loss. This module will familiarize students with industrially relevant physical, chemical and biological failure mechanisms and provide them with the tools needed to provide feasible engineering solutions to ensure that materials are protected.
EGSM02 Interpersonal Skills for Engineers

The module will cover both presentation and written skills required for successful communication in enigineering. Presentations: Guidelines on making format presentations, considering attention span, visual aids, style, content and balance to ensure a memorable outcome. Preparation for one-on-one discussions, approaches to ensure successful meetings. Body Language: The influence of body language in communication both in formal presentations and in small group discussions. How to read body language in others, and modify your own body position to aid communication. Written: Guidelines on report preparation, including planning,structure and use of figures and tables. Preparation of an abstract, covering length, key issues and style for maximum effectiveness. Each candidate will prepare a detailed project plan covering background to the research, the scheduling of practical and other work, and milestone deliverables. This plan will be produced following: (i) attendance at specialist lectures covering issues of good practice in the conduct of research eg safety, procedures for laboratory work and data reporting/analysis; (ii) discussion with academic and industrial supervisors regarding technical/commercial issues associated with the specific topic; (iii) a review of the formal course units covering technical issues, personal and professional development and research skills. The overall report must demonstrate that each student relates relevant aspects of the training courses to their industry oriented research project.
EGSM03 Literature Review of Industrial Problem

The module involves the collation, refinement and critique of existing literature surrounding particular problem associated with the research topic elected by the student. The student will gain experience in working independently on a substantial, individually assigned task, using accepted literature review procedures. It will require and develop self-organisation and the critical evaluation of existing literature with a view to producing a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on the prescribed topic. Assessment of the literature review will be in the form of a 25 page review paper and a 30 min oral viva examination.

Key Grants and Projects

COATED 2015

EPSRC Centre for doctoral training in industrial functional coatings, £6.3 million
COATED 2013

EPSRC/ESF Centre for doctoral training, £3.5 million
METaL 2012

ESF work based learning, £1.4 million
STRIP 2012

ESF Director, £6.6 million
SPECIFIC 2011

SPECIFIC Innovation and knowledge centre EPSRC/TSB – Co-investigator, £10 million
Materials Live! 2012

STEM outreach grant – Co-Investigator, £140,000

Professor James Sullivan

Telephone number

Email address

Research Links

About

Career Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Conference Contributions

Supervision

Zinc Coating Innovations for Superior Corrosion Protection (current)

The driving parameters for the cut edge corrosion of galvanised steel substrates with novel organic coatings.«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» (current)

“Optimisation of Next Generation Galvanising Pot Hardware” (current)

Corrosion Behaviour of Additively Manufactured High Entropy Alloys (awarded 2024)

The corrosion and mechanical performance of industry relevant additively manufactured steels and alloys (awarded 2023)

Prevention of Corrosion in Cast Iron Water Mains (current)

Development of Novel coatings for boron steel insurance in the hot stamping process (current)

Characterisation of sustainable materials for can making (current)

Understanding the role of thin film pre-treatments on steel surfaces (current)

Novel additions to enhance galvanic corrosion resistance in magnesium alloys (current)

Novel Galvanic Coatings for airport ground support equipment (current)

The factors affecting the corrosion of ductile cast iron (awarded 2024)

The Adhesion of Protective Coatings to Novel REACH Compliant Packaging Steel Substrates (awarded 2023)

Addition of alloying agents to improve the performance of Zn/Al metallic coated steel. (current)

Development of Novel Corrosion resistant Magnesium alloys (current)

Super duplex stainless steels - the influence of copper and tungsten on the passivity and corrosion resistance. (awarded 2024)

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiatives in Postgraduate Engineering (current)

The Effect of Copper and Tungsten Addition of the Passivity and Pitting Corrosion Resistance of Super Duplex Stainless Steels (awarded 2024)

Taught Modules

EG-180 Introduction to Materials Engineering

EG-387 Materials Degradation and Protection

EG-M341 Materials Degradation and Protection

EGSM02 Interpersonal Skills for Engineers

EGSM03 Literature Review of Industrial Problem

Key Grants and Projects

COATED 2015

COATED 2013

METaL 2012

STRIP 2012

SPECIFIC 2011

Materials Live! 2012