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Expert in characterization of damaged composite materials for aerospace applications

I am Associate Professor at Linköping University, with 11 years of experience on research and development related to polymer composite materials. My area of expertise is characterization of mechanical properties and damage in lightweight composite structures using Destructive, Non-Destructive Testing methods (NDT) and Finite Element Method (FEM).

My work with composite materials has started with my master thesis where I studied micro-damage initiation and growth in laminated composites under thermo-mechanical loading using destructive testing. The continuation of that work was the subject of my PhD.

The years after graduating PhD studies have been very productive for me in terms of international networking and research collaboration. Apart from participation in conferences and workshops I have established an active collaboration with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), big companies, research institutes and Universities. I have been leading several national and European projects and working in close collaboration with SAAB and AIRBUS.  From October 2013 to May 2021, I worked at RISE SICOMP as a research engineer and then as a senior scientist in fatigue of composite materials. In 2018-2019, for a duration of 14 months, I acted as group manager at RISE SICOMP.

My research work has been presented in total of 13 peer-reviewed scientific journal papers, 9 peer-reviewed conference papers and more than 23 international conference presentations.

I co-supervised one PhD student (thesis defended in June 2019) and I am currently co-supervising two PhD students. I have also supervised several master/bachelor theses.

In September 2019, I got my Docent degree in Engineering Materials from LiU. Since June 2020, I am a member of Innovative Materials Arena (IMA) Scientific Advisory Board in Linköping.

Teaching

I am involved in teaching the following courses:
  • Engineering Materials for Lightweight Applications (TMKM09)
  • Materials selection (TMKM14)
  • Polymer materials (TMKM17)
  • Composit Materials (TMKO04)
  • Advanced materials and the environment (TMKO01)

Education

  • September 2019 Docent degree in Engineering Materials at Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden, Department of Management and Engineering (IEI), Division of Engineering Materials.
  • October 2013 PhD degree in Polymeric Composites Materials at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Materials Science.
  • October 2013 Doctoral degree in Mechanics of Materials at University of Lorraine, Nancy, France, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering (SI2M), Institut Jean Lamour.
  • July 2009 European Masters degree in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMASE) at The National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine, European Engineering School in Materials (EEIGM), Nancy (France).
  • July 2007 Bachelors degree in Physics at Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, (Tunisia).

 

Selected projects

Researcher explains the behavior and structural integrity properties of advanced metal-composite airframe structures.

Improved analysis capability and strength properties of bolted joints in advanced metal-composite structure

The project is focused on the understanding of the behavior and structural integrity properties of advanced metal-composite airframe structures. The goal is to develop reliable and accurate methods and models that can predict the complex behavior of bolted hybrid structures and to find simplified models aiming to establish efficient methods for industrial applications. The project also includes development of methods and procedures to physically improve the strength of bolted joints.

  • Partners: SAAB, KTH, Linköping University, RISE SICOMP and Oxeon
  • Call: National Aeronautical Research Program 7 (VINNOVA)
  • Role: Coordinator from RISE SICOMP
A picture of aero.engine

Life and durability prediction of aero-engine composites (LUNA)

Increased use of polymeric composite materials in aero-engines opens up opportunities for the development of new light engine components with, in turn, the potential to reduce fuel consumption and thus the climate impact of aircraft. Such components will, during their lifetime, be subjected to combinations of mechanical and hygro-thermal load scenarios, unique for each engine type, engine architecture and flight mission. In such context, reliable methods for understanding and predicting the properties of the composites throughout their lifetime are critical. This project addresses the need through its aim to develop a method that predicts how mechanical properties of composites change over time and with thermo-mechanical loading. The project will develop a calculation methodology that describes the initiation and growth of damage in composites exposed to quasi-static or cyclic multiaxial loads during thermal and mechanical fatigue.

  • Partners: GKN Aerospace, Luleå University of Technology and RISE SICOMP
  • Call: National Aeronautical Research Program 7 (VINNOVA)
  • Role: Coordinator from RISE SICOMP and co-supervisor of one PhD student
An image showing induction heating and the use of optical fiber sensors

New technologies for manufacturing optimized and more intelligent tools (TOOLS)

TOOLS project aimed to implement new technologies, such us induction heating and the use of optical fiber sensors, in manufacturing of composite tools to improve their efficiency in the production of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) components. Different CFRP materials were tested and investigated to increase heat efficiency in part manufacturing and the durability of the tool. The project has developed more intelligent tools using embedded sensors to acquire additional information about the tool itself to improve manufacturing processes and maintaining operations.

  • Partners: AIRBUS Spain, RISE SICOMP, RISE ACREO, Lund University, Luleå University of Technology, Corebon, and Loiretech (France)
  • Call: Eureka Network projects
  • Role: Project coordinator

Read more about the project here

Equipment in laboratory.

Composite Hydrogen Tanks: Thermal and mechanical cycling of thin-ply composites for cryogenic applications

In this project we will characterize thin ply composites under cryogenic thermo-mechanical fatigue and prove that Oxeon´s thin ply composite reinforcements can be used to manufacture ultralight aircraft tanks for liquid hydrogen. The project will study the microcracking using quasi-static, thermal, and mechanical fatigue tests. A fatigue model will be developed to predict matrix cracks at cryogenic temperatures. The project will strengthen the leading position of Sweden in the area and allows marketing of a Swedish material supplier for hydrogen tanks to the aircraft industry.

  • Partners: Linköping University (Coordinator), RISE, Oxeon
  • Call: SMF-FLYG (VINNOVA)
  • Role: Project coordinator

Equipment in laboratory.

Sustainable composites for structural parts in automotive applications with focus on crash worthiness and environment

The aim of this project is to investigate the performance of a hybrid cellulosic/basalt, cellulosic/carbon, and basalt/carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites for structural parts in automotive applications.

  • Partners: Linköping University (Coordinator), Luleå University of Technology, Gestamp HardTech
  • Call: Sustainable production - FFI (VINNOVA)
  • Role: Project coordinator

Mohamed Loukil.

Damage characterization of Composite/ Metal bolted joints under static and dynamic loads for aerospace applications

This work is performed within the IntDemo-Aircraft project coordinated by SAAB. Our task in this project is to investigate damage of composite/composite and composite/metal bolted joints under static and fatigue loads. Both static and fatigue tests of bolted joints specimens will be performed at Linköping University and damage will be investigated.

  • Partners: Linköping University, RISE, SAAB, Image Systems
  • Role: Project coordinator from Linköping University

Publications

2023

2022

2021

News

Coworkers

Photo of Mattias Calmunger

Mattias Calmunger

Senior Associate Professor, Head of Division

Photo of Guocai Chai

Guocai Chai
Photo of Patrik Härnman

Patrik Härnman

Research Engineer

Photo of Sten Johansson

Sten Johansson
Photo of Magnus Kahlin

Magnus Kahlin

Adjunct Associate Professor

Photo of Ebba Kihlberg

Ebba Kihlberg

PhD student

Subhani Buddhika Kumarasinghe

PhD student

Freddy Leijon
Photo of Johan Moverare

Johan Moverare

Professor

Photo of Viktor Norman

Viktor Norman

Assistant Professor, Docent

Photo of Ru Peng

Ru Peng

Professor

Photo of Pavel Romanov

Pavel Romanov

PhD student

Photo of Rodger Romero Ramirez

Rodger Romero Ramirez

Research Engineer

Photo of Mikael Segersäll

Mikael Segersäll

Associate Professor, Docent

Peter Skoglund
Photo of Xiaoyu Sun

Xiaoyu Sun

PhD student

Yuan Tian

PhD student

Photo of Karin Wennersten

Karin Wennersten

PhD student

Photo of Jinghao Xu

Jinghao Xu

Principal Research Engineer

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