Engineering Materials

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

Doctoral studies

News

Cracks in austenitic stainless steel.

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