People in the department
Dr Gary Critchlow
Senior Research Fellow BSc, PhD, FIMMM, FIMF, C.Phys, MInst P
Tel: 01509 222949
Fax: 01509 223949
Email: G.W.Critchlow@Lboro.ac.uk
Background
Gary has worked for Loughborough University since January 1987; initially as a member of the Surface Analysis Group of Loughborough Consultants Ltd located within the Physics Department. In 1990 this group became the Institute of Surface Science and Technology (ISST) and was later integrated within the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering (IPTME) now the Department of Materials. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow; at any moment in time managing a number of industrial consultancies as well as larger more fundamental research programmes
Qualifications
- BSc, York
- PhD, Loughborough
- FIMMM, FIMF, C.Phys, MInst P
Key awards
- Corrosion Award 2002 from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
- Canning Bi-Centenary Medal 2011 from the Institute of Metal Finishing, for his paper “Hot and cold cleaning methods: CO2 and Nd:YAG laser ablation, sodium hydride immersion and CO2 cryoblasting”
Current teaching responsibilities
- MPP231 - Adhesive Bonding
- MPP141 - Materials Selection for Design
- MPP134 - Surface Analysis
- MPP359 - Packaging Materials: Metals
- MPC008 - Surface Engineering
- MPP131 - Automotive Materials
- TTB207 - Body Engineering and Automotive Engineering
- MPP207 - Surface Engineering
Current administrative responsibilities
Departmental Seminar Coordinator
Outline of main research interests
Gary’s research interests include the invention and development of novel surface processes and multifunctional materials which are aimed toward meeting the specific demands of industry. This research is multidisciplinary in nature, drawing from expertise in the fields of materials, mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry. Current studies are concerned with the development of novel processes for optimised adhesion and corrosion resistance imparted to metals including aerospace grade aluminium alloys and steels and the modelling of joints to determine the lifetime of bonded structures taking into account complex loading and environmental considerations. Some prebond treatments, particularly those suitable for aerospace use have been upscaled for commercial use. Gary also has a large interest in polymer modification using nanoparticles to provide adhesives and coatings with advanced properties.
Recent publications
Gary is either sole or co-author of over 75 refereed journal papers and numerous conference contributions:
- Chapaneri, R., Ebbage, A.J., Wilcox, G.D., Critchlow, G.W., Chojnicki, A., Pearson, T. and Rowan, A.J., ''Effect of Heat Treatment on Promoting Zinc Whisker Growth from Bright Zinc Electrodeposited Coatings'', Transactions of the Institute of Metal Finishing, 87, 2009, pp 159-162
- da Silva, L.F.M., Carbas, R.J.C., Critchlow, G.W., Figueiredo, M.A.V. and Brown, K., ''Effect of Material, Geometry, Surface Treatment and Environment on the Shear Strength of Single Lap Joints'', International Journal of Adhesion & Adhesives, 29, 2009, pp 621-632
- Chung, P.P., Cantwell, P.A., Wilcox, G.D. and Critchlow, G.W., ''Electrodeposition of Zinc-Manganese Alloy Coatings from Ionic Liquid Electrolytes'', Transactions of the Institute of Metal Finishing, 86, 2008, pp 211-219
Selected publications
- ‘Growth of Praseodymium Oxide and Praseodymium Silicate Thin Films by Liquid Injection MOCVD’, Critchlow GW, Aspinall HC, Gaskell J, Williams PA, Chemical Vapor Deposition, 10[2], 83-89 (2004).
- ‘Surface Cleaning Technologies for the Removal of Crosslinked Epoxide Resin’ Critchlow GW, Lichfield RE, Wilson S, Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 26[5], 295-303, (2006).
- ‘A Review and Comparative Study of Release Coatings for Optimised Abhesion in Resin Transfer Moulding Applications’ Critchlow GW, Grandy DB, Lichfield RE, Sutherland I, Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 26(8), 577-599, (2006).
- ‘Strategies for the Replacement of Chromic Acid Anodising for the Structural Bonding of Aluminium Alloys’, Critchlow GW, Bahrani D, Quinn A, Yendall KA, Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 26[6], 419-453, (2006)
Current and recent grants and contracts (with others)
- Modification of silicone-based adhesives to produce selective adhesion. Atomic Weapons Establishment plc, £18.9k
- Evaluation of pretreatments for Jaguar Bonding, Jaguar Cars Limited, £51.8k
- Toxic metal replacement in aerospace applications, EPSRC, £218k
- Scale up of ACDC Anodising Process, Short Brothers plc, £36k
External collaborators
Since 2003, host to MSc students from ISTIL, University of Lyon, France. Ongoing collaborative research undertaken with Professor Lucas da Silva University of Oporto, Portugal and Professor Tony Jones University of Liverpool, UK.
External roles and appointments
Gary has been either the sole or co-organiser of fourteen major events/conferences over the past five years on behalf of Loughborough University or learned societies.
Commercialisation and Recent Consultancies
Commercialisation of research:
Industrial research exploitation:
Inventor of patent GB 2421 959 A Anodising of Aluminium Alloy.
Commercialisation ongoing in collaboration with Bombardier Aerospace.
In a consultancy capacity Gary has authored over 500 confidential reports to industrial clients from all manufacturing sectors on topics including:
- Thin film characterisation
- Various aspects of surface engineering
- Corrosion
- Failure analysis and contamination identification
Full list of publications
Loughborough CIS Portal: Publication list