Professor Helen Davies

Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

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Administration Office - 016
Ground Floor
Institute of Structural Materials
Bay Campus

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4838-9572

ResearchGate

Google Scholar

Scopus

About

Helen Davies is a Professor based within the Institute of Structural Materials at Swansea University, where she leads the high Integrity joining team. Starting with a titanium focussed PhD, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence in 1998 her journey working on fatigue mechanisms such as cold dwell effects in titanium alloys, began. Professor Davies subsequently gained ten years industrial experience through employment within the nickel manufacturing industry. Since 2015 she has led the High Integrity joining team in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, developing a novel technique for joining titanium alloys and nickel superalloys. In addition, she has supervised a number of titanium- based PhD research programs, including a recent study on the development of Ti-407. Professor Davies is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Higher education Academy.

Areas Of Expertise

Titanium alloys
Nickel superalloys
Nickel Manufacture
Grain Boundary Engineering
Semi-solid forming
Additive Layer Manufacturing
Metals Casting
Failure Analysis (Metals)
Fatigue and Crack Initiation

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Metal Manufacturing, Casting, Semi-solid metal forming

Research Collaborations

Publications

Research Highlights

Bache, M., Davies, H., Davey, W., Thomas, ., & Berment-Parr, . (2019). Microstructural Control of Fatigue Behaviour in a Novel α + β Titanium Alloy. Metals, 9(11), 1200
https://doi.org/10.3390/met9111200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52224
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/met9111200
Davies, P., Johal, A., Davies, H., & Marchisio, S. (2019). Powder interlayer bonding of titanium alloys: Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo and Ti-6Al-4V. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 103(1-4), 441-452.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03445-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49812
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03445-3
Prikhodko, S., Savvakin, D., Markovsky, P., Stasuk, O., Penney, J., Shirzadi, A., Davies, P., & Davies, H. (2020). Diffusion bonding of TiC or TiB reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites to conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13621718.2020.1751403, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53891
Watkins, I., Davies, H., Stanners, O., & Marchisio, S. (2020). Powder interlayer bonding of geometrically complex Ti-6Al-4V parts. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 106(9-10), 3629-3639.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-04685-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52700
Stanners, O., John, S., Davies, H., Watkins, I., & Marchisio, S. (2020). The Effect of Processing Variables on Powder Interlayer Bonding in Nickel-Based Superalloys. Materials, 13(3), 601
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030601, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53410
Jothi, S., Sebald, T., Reese, E., Brown, S., & Davies, H. (2016). Localized microstructural characterization of a dissimilar metal electron beam weld joint from an aerospace component. Materials & Design, 90, 101-114.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.10.119, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23890
Davey, W., Bache, M., Davies, H., & Thomas, M. (2018). Fatigue Performance of the Novel Titanium Alloy Timetal 407. MATEC Web of Conferences, 165, 04001
https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201816504001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40730
Bache, M., Davies, H., Davey, W., Thomas, M., & Berment-Parr, . (2019). Microstructural Control of Fatigue Behaviour in a Novel α + β Titanium Alloy. Metals, 9(11)
https://doi.org/10.3390/met9111200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52766
Lavery, N., Cherry, J., Mehmood, S., Davies, H., Girling, B., Sackett, E., Brown, S., & Sienz, J. (2017). Effects of hot isostatic pressing on the elastic modulus and tensile properties of 316L parts made by powder bed laser fusion. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 693, 186-213.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2017.03.100, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30238
Cherry, J., Davies, H., Mehmood, S., Lavery, N., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Lavery, N., & Davies, H. (2015). Investigation into the effect of process parameters on microstructural and physical properties of 316L stainless steel parts by selective laser melting. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 76(5-8), 869-879.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-6297-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18363

All Research

Journal Articles

Bache, M., Li, J., & Davies, H. (2024). A re-assessment of Ti-685 as a dwell sensitive titanium alloy and a definition for engineering relevant dwell behaviour. International Journal of Fatigue, 178, 108008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.108008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64765
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.108008
Li, J., Davies, H., Fox, K., Mulyadi, M., Glavicic, M., & Bache, M. (2023). An appraisal of dwell sensitive fatigue in Ti-6Al-4V and the governing role of inhomogeneous micro-texture. International Journal of Fatigue, 171, 107589
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.107589, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62788
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.107589
Stanners, O., Russell, J., John, S., Davies, H., & Marchisio, S. (2021). Powder Interlayer Bonding of Nickel-Based Superalloys with Dissimilar Chemistries. Materials, 14(8), 2029
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14082029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56834
Davies, P., Davies, H., Watkins, I., & Britton, D. (2020). The joining of gamma titanium aluminides via the powder interlayer bonding method. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 109(7-8), 2049-2054.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-05725-9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54683
Davies, P., Johal, A., Davies, H., & Marchisio, S. (2020). The fatigue performance of titanium alloys joined via the powder interlayer bonding method. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 109(5-6), 1553-1561.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-05737-5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54682
Reeks, W., Davies, H., & Marchisio, S. (2020). A review: Interlayer joining of nickel base alloys. Journal of Advanced Joining Processes, 2, 100030
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jajp.2020.100030, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55021
Prikhodko, S., Savvakin, D., Markovsky, P., Stasuk, O., Penney, J., Shirzadi, A., Davies, P., & Davies, H. (2020). Diffusion bonding of TiC or TiB reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites to conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13621718.2020.1751403, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53891
Watkins, I., Davies, H., Stanners, O., & Marchisio, S. (2020). Powder interlayer bonding of geometrically complex Ti-6Al-4V parts. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 106(9-10), 3629-3639.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-04685-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52700
Stanners, O., John, S., Davies, H., Watkins, I., & Marchisio, S. (2020). The Effect of Processing Variables on Powder Interlayer Bonding in Nickel-Based Superalloys. Materials, 13(3), 601
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030601, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53410
Bache, M., Davies, H., Davey, W., Thomas, ., & Berment-Parr, . (2019). Microstructural Control of Fatigue Behaviour in a Novel α + β Titanium Alloy. Metals, 9(11), 1200
https://doi.org/10.3390/met9111200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52224
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/met9111200
Bache, M., Davies, H., Davey, W., Thomas, M., & Berment-Parr, . (2019). Microstructural Control of Fatigue Behaviour in a Novel α + β Titanium Alloy. Metals, 9(11)
https://doi.org/10.3390/met9111200, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52766
Davies, P., Johal, A., Davies, H., & Marchisio, S. (2019). Powder interlayer bonding of titanium alloys: Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo and Ti-6Al-4V. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 103(1-4), 441-452.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03445-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49812
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03445-3
Davey, W., Bache, M., Davies, H., & Thomas, M. (2018). Fatigue Performance of the Novel Titanium Alloy Timetal 407. MATEC Web of Conferences, 165, 04001
https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201816504001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40730
Lavery, N., Cherry, J., Mehmood, S., Davies, H., Girling, B., Sackett, E., Brown, S., & Sienz, J. (2017). Effects of hot isostatic pressing on the elastic modulus and tensile properties of 316L parts made by powder bed laser fusion. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 693, 186-213.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2017.03.100, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30238
Zhang, L., Belblidia, F., Davies, H., Lavery, N., Brown, S., & Davies, D. (2017). Optimizing gate location to reduce metal wastage: Co–Cr–W alloy filling simulation. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 240, 249-254.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2016.09.027, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30309
Jothi, S., Sebald, T., Reese, E., Brown, S., & Davies, H. (2016). Localized microstructural characterization of a dissimilar metal electron beam weld joint from an aerospace component. Materials & Design, 90, 101-114.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.10.119, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23890
Yousef, H., Cobley, R., Davies, H., James, D., Mehmood, S., Sackett, E., Sienz, J., Davies, H., Yousef, H., Cobley, R., & Sackett, E. (2015). Establishing a quantifiable tarnish timeline for comparison of anti-tarnish processes in metals. Materials and Corrosion, 66(10), 1120-1124.
https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.201407969, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20511
Huszar, M., Belblidia, F., Davies, H., Arnold, C., Bould, D., & Sienz, J. (2015). Sustainable injection moulding: The impact of materials selection and gate location on part warpage and injection pressure. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 5, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2015.07.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22736
Innocente, M., Afonso, S., Sienz, J., & Davies, H. (2015). Particle swarm algorithm with adaptive constraint handling and integrated surrogate model for the management of petroleum fields. Applied Soft Computing, 34, 463-484.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2015.05.032, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22073
Cherry, J., Davies, H., Mehmood, S., Lavery, N., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Lavery, N., & Davies, H. (2015). Investigation into the effect of process parameters on microstructural and physical properties of 316L stainless steel parts by selective laser melting. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 76(5-8), 869-879.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-6297-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18363
Eckermann, J., Mehmood, S., Davies, H., Lavery, N., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Jones, A., Sommerfeld, P., Brown, S., Sienz, J., Lavery, N., & Davies, H. (2014). Computational modeling of creep-based fatigue as a means of selecting lead-free solder alloys. Microelectronics Reliability, 54(6-7), 1235-1242.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microrel.2014.02.017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22172
Randle, V. & Davies, H. (2002). Evolution of microstructure and properties in alpha-brass after iterative processing. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 33(6), 1853-1857.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-002-0193-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23358
Randle, V. & Davies, H. (2002). A comparison between three-dimensional and two-dimensional grain boundary plane analysis. Ultramicroscopy, 90(2-3), 153-162.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3991(01)00137-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23354
Davies, H., Randle, V., & Davies, H. (2002). Single-section plane assessment in grain boundary engineered brass. Journal of Microscopy, 205(3), 253-258.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2818.2002.00989.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23357
Davies, H. (2002). Triple junction distribution profiles as assessed by electron backscatter diffraction. Journal of Materials Science, 37(19), 4203-4209.
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020052306493, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23356
Randle, V. & Davies, H. (2002). Evolution of microstructure and properties in alpha-brass after iterative processing. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 33(6), 1853-1857.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-002-0193-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23361
Davies, H. & Randle, V. (2001). The effect of low strain and annealing iterations on the ductility of alpha-brass. Philosophical Magazine A, 81(11), 2553-2564.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01418610108216654, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23360
Randle, V., Davies, H., & Cross, I. (2001). Grain boundary misorientation distributions. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 5(1), 3-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-0286(00)00018-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23352
Bache, M. & Davies, H. (1997). Dwell sensitive fatigue in a near alpha titanium alloy at ambient temperature. International Journal of Fatigue, 19(93), 83-88.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-1123(97)00020-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23359
Davies, H. (1997). Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis of quasi-cleavage and hydrogen fractures under cyclic and dwell loading in titanium alloys. J. of Materials Science, 32, 3435-3442.
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018624801310, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23355

Book Chapters

Davies, H. (2012). Characterisation of hydrogen induced fracture in the titanium alloy IMI685. Advances in Fracture Research (pp. 351-358).
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23362

Supervision

TBD (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Mark Whittaker
Remnant Life Assessment based on the Small Punch Test and the Wilshire Equations (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Mark Evans
The Low Cycle Fatigue Behaviour of Laser Powder Bed Fused Stainless Steel 316LN: Build Orientation and Surface Finish Effects (awarded 2023)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Robert Lancaster
High Cycle Fatigue Effects of Surface Defects in Ti-6Al-4V (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Mark Whittaker
High integrity joining and Repair of Gamma Titanium Aluminides (awarded 2022)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Steve Brown
Untitled (current)

MSc

Other supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Sackett
Investigation into the Thermomechanical Properties of UNSR30188 Alloy. (current)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Mark Whittaker

Taught Modules

EG-091 Chemistry of Materials

This course provides an introduction to the chemical properties of materials used throughout engineering. A practical component will be used to complement taught theory and will allow students to develop the skills to carry out a number of basic laboratory manipulations in an accurate and safe manner. Fundamental knowledge regarding atomic structure and chemical bonding will be used to understand material properties and their use within engineering applications, and to understand the ways in which chemical reactions are utilized within a range of engineering processes.
EG-182 Manufacturing Technology I

Manufacturing makes a major contribution to the world economy and, engineering processes help solve some of the most serious challenges facing society today. The role of engineers in the manufacturing sector is crucial to generate sustainable high economic value products and jobs. To meet this ever-changing role, new graduates require an understanding of established and advanced processes. The module provides students with a holistic view of current, emerging and integrated manufacturing processes, providing a wide range of techniques required for producing product specifications based on process/technology selection. The taught material builds together with knowledge gained from materials and design modules. The topics are delivered by means of traditional lectures in each of the areas shown in the syllabus below.
EG-185 Materials Practicals 1: structure / property links in metals

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the skills necessary to prepare materials for microscopic examination and to conduct standard mechanical tests. The course supports the Level 1 lecture courses, in particular the courses on Introduction to Materials (EG-180) and on Mechanical Properties (EG-184). The emphasis for this module is the development of practical, experimental, and scientific report writing skills.

Key Grants and Projects

CAJoRR (Co-I) 2019 - 2022

, with PI = Professor M Whittaker, Total = £4,061,976 , Swansea University = £719,826

Career History

Professor with the Institute of Structural Materials, Institute of Structural Materials

2022 - Present
Associate Professor with the Institute of Structural Materials, Institute of Structural Materials

2018 - Present
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Structural Materials

2015 - 2018
Senior Technical Manager, ASTUTE (Advanced sustainable manufacturing technologies)

2011 - 2015
Various technical roles, VALE – Nickel Refinery

2000 - 2010

Affiliated Positions

Chartered Engineer and Member, The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

2014 - Present
Fellow, Higher Education Academy

2017 - Present
External Examiner, Oxford University- Pembroke College

2018 - Present
External Examiner, Birmingham University

2019 - Present

Professor Helen Davies

Email address

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

TBD (current)

Remnant Life Assessment based on the Small Punch Test and the Wilshire Equations (awarded 2023)

The Low Cycle Fatigue Behaviour of Laser Powder Bed Fused Stainless Steel 316LN: Build Orientation and Surface Finish Effects (awarded 2023)

High Cycle Fatigue Effects of Surface Defects in Ti-6Al-4V (current)

High integrity joining and Repair of Gamma Titanium Aluminides (awarded 2022)

Untitled (current)

Investigation into the Thermomechanical Properties of UNSR30188 Alloy. (current)

EG-091 Chemistry of Materials

EG-182 Manufacturing Technology I

EG-185 Materials Practicals 1: structure / property links in metals

CAJoRR (Co-I) 2019 - 2022

Professor with the Institute of Structural Materials, Institute of Structural Materials

Associate Professor with the Institute of Structural Materials, Institute of Structural Materials

Senior Lecturer, Institute of Structural Materials

Senior Technical Manager, ASTUTE (Advanced sustainable manufacturing technologies)

Various technical roles, VALE – Nickel Refinery

Chartered Engineer and Member, The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

Fellow, Higher Education Academy

External Examiner, Oxford University- Pembroke College

External Examiner, Birmingham University