David Stewart

Synopsis

Nuclear Plant Tribology – Materials, Mechanisms and Models

The primary circuit environment in a pressurised water nuclear power plant is a challenging one for any material to be function in, yet alone an effective wear resistant material. This talk will cover some of the materials used in plant applications and the rationale which drives material change, the fundamental issues that they need to overcome to effectively operate and the mechanisms by which they provide resistance against a range of wear scenarios. The talk will also cover work to date on modelling these complex materials and mechanisms.

Bio

David is a Senior Technical Specialist for Rolls-Royce Submarines working in surface engineering and powder metallurgy; his current work is based around the use of ferrous-based powder technologies for the nuclear steam raising plant.

David graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Materials and Chemistry, and then did a postgraduate study on the wear behaviour of thermally sprayed nanoscale tungsten carbide – cobalt coatings. In his career to date, he has worked in the civil nuclear and civil aerospace industries, working in both manufacturing and in-service support, and since 2007 in the defence sector working for Rolls-Royce Submarines.

He is also a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow and Trustee of IOM3.