Engineering Materials

Material properties

Utskrifter i 3D-skrivare — Photographer: Charlotte Perhammar

Konstruktionsmaterial — Photographer: Teiksma Buseva

Research focus is mainly on metallic materials but also ceramics, composites and polymers for engineering applications. This includes high temperature materials such as Ni-based superalloys and coatings for gasturbines, advanced austenitic stainless steels for the power plants, cast iron for heavy vehicle engines and aluminium and titanium alloys for the aircraft industry.

Materials have always played an important role in our lives. We are surrounded by materials and without curiosity and desire to uncover the structure, properties, performance, manufacturing process and applications of these materials there would not be innovations like jet engines, wind turbines or 3D-printed airplane components.

We study the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties, environmental impact and degradation of material properties, and fatigue and durability of material under service like conditions.

We aim to promote the optimal use of traditional materials but also to be the bridge between the synthesis of new materials and their use in engineering applications. We are the link between the experimental characterisation of materials and the mathematical description of their behaviours in order to support more efficient product development and manufacturing processes.

Research

Mechanical properties of structural materials

We work with a series of advanced mechanical tests methods to determine the mechanical properties of a material. By combining these methods with microstructural investigations we can study the active deformation and damage mechanisms.

Additive manufacturing

3D-printing will have a huge impact on the manufacturing industry in the years to come, and a better understanding of the material properties of AM manufactured parts is vital to fully utilize the potential of this fairly new technology.

Surface engineering for performance and durability

What can be done to protect metallic components operating at high temperatures? how can we increase the fatigue resistance of structural components? Surface modification for better performance and durability is the main focus of our research.

Doctoral studies

Doctoral studies in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is a discipline of engineering sciences based on classical mechanics. In a broader sense, it covers disciplines from product development and design engineering to construction materials and computational mechanics.

Agora Materiae Graduate School

Helping degree and licentiate students in the research field of novel functional materials excel in their fields, in a truly multidisciplinary environment.

News

New material can increase boiler efficiency

Detective work in the laboratory and sitting at a scanning electron microscope have increased our knowledge of stainless steel. The results may lead to new materials to the boilers of power plants with higher efficiency and lower emissions.

Dunyong Deng, researcher in Engineering Materials.

Additive manufacture changes materials

Additive manufacture in combination with nickel-based superalloys can be used in the production of high-temperature products. New research increases our knowledge of new manufacturing methods and how these change the properties of materials.

Christian Busse, researcher at Linköping University.

How blades in a gas turbine crack

Upwards, downwards or sideways. Quickly or slowly. Evenly or unevenly. New research at LiU shows how cracks propagate in gas turbine blades. The results may have far-reaching industrial implications.

Strategic research

Advanced Functional Materials - AFM

Advanced Functional Materials, AFM, is an interdisciplinary research environment conducting studies in advanced functional materials. The initiative is based on a government investment with strategic research areas as its foundation.

Engineering Materials

Material properties

Research