CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship: Integrity of dissimilar joints in safety sensitive industries

Funding and duration

four year scholarship package totalling approximately $48,000 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate); four-year scholarship and research training program.

Project overview

Project title

Integrity of dissimilar joints in safety sensitive industries.

Project description

Dissimilar metal joints are widely used in power generation, petrochemical, and oil and gas industries, particularly in high-temperature, corrosive environments such as heat exchangers. Dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) between stainless steels and ferritic steels combine complementary properties: 316L stainless steel provides corrosion resistance, while ferritic steels (e.g., P91 or A508) offer cost-effective strength and good thermal performance. However, welding these materials introduces residual stresses, microstructural heterogeneity, and complex loading conditions that complicate structural integrity assessment.

Although design and assessment codes such as ASME Section VIII and R6 exist, their application to DMWs is limited by material mismatch, non-standard geometries, and scarce experimental validation. As a result, current predictions are often conservative, and improved input data could enable more accurate life assessments.

This research integrates experimental measurements, computational welding simulations, and code-based assessments to improve understanding of 316L–ferritic steel DMWs. Advanced residual stress measurement techniques, including neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, will be used alongside evaluation of welding methods such as electron beam welding. Experimental work will be complemented by finite element simulations to study fracture, fatigue, and corrosion fatigue behaviour, with a focus on ferritic–austenitic autogenous joints.

Supervisory team

University

Name of university supervisor | Mahmoud Mostafavi

Name of university | Monash University

Email address | mahmoud.mostafavi@monash.edu

Faculty | Engineering/Mechanical and Aerospace

CSIRO

Name of CSIRO supervisor | Daniel East

Email address | Daniel.East@csiro.au

CSIRO Research Unit | Technology

Industry

Name of industry supervisor | Henry Humphrey

Name of organisation | Amog Pty. Ltd.

Email address | henry.humphrey@amog.consulting

Further details

Primary location of student | Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia

Industry engagement component location | Amog Pty. Ltd, 307 Ferntree Gully Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149, Australia

Other locations | CSIRO Clayton, Research Way, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia

Ideal student skillset | Qualification in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Desire to study the applied engineering topic and to spend time in industry and at CSIRO.Familiarity with computer modelling (Finite element analysis). Experience in designing and undertaking experiments. Excellent communication skills.

Application close date | Open until position filled

Apply | Contact Mahmoud Mostafavi