PhD position on High Performance Composites

The div of Polymer Engineering, Dept of Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lulea University of Technology offers a PhD student position (doktorandtjänst) in Polymer Engineering related to studies of mechanical performance of composite materials in harsh environmental conditions.

Composite structures planed for use in aeronautic applications (satellites, reusable launch vehicle, engines etc) will be subjected to a large number of thermal cycles in the temperature region between cryogenic to elevated reaching temperatures close to glass transition.Very fast temperature changes in this range accompanied by high pressures are other examples of the causes for possible material deterioration.
Repeating thermal loading, which may be accompanied also by mechanical loads, leads to microdamage formation.Microcracks and delamination developing in fatigue cause degradation of the thermo-mechanical properties of the composite and decrease the life time.

The objectives of the proposed research project are

a) to reveal the mechanisms of microdamage initiation and microdamage propagation in thermo-mechanical fatigue and to identify governing parameters

b) to describe the evolution of the actual damage modes by evolution laws

This project is performed in collaboration with world wide known international research teams (In USA:Texas A&M, US Air Force Material Lab, in Denmark: Riso DTU etc, In Sweden: Volvo Aero corp, SICOMP).

Qualifications
Suitable applicant has a Master degree in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science (civilingjöner i maskinteknik eller teknisk fysik).The research will include both experimental studies and theoretical modelling.Good knowledge in mechanics is mandatory, basic skills in numerical methods (for example in using Finite Elements codes, MATLAB etc) are requested.

Good skills in written and spoken English are mandatory.Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Further information
Contact Prof.Janis Varna, tel.
Application

Deadline for applications