Materials technology has its main focus on the relation between microstructure and mechanical properties of engineering materials. That includes different technological processes like heat treatment, forming and welding and also encompasses the behaviour of the materials in manufacturing processes and products in service. Examples of current research areas:

• Prediction of distortions in engine cylinder blocks allowing optimization of manufacturing processes and reduced friction losses in the engine leading to decreased fuel consumption. Cooperation with Applied Mechanics within MCR. Industrial partners: Volvo Cars and Volvo Engine.
• Studies of new types of materials in railway wheels and rails needed for increased train speeds and axle loads. Higher strengths materials often lead to, for instance, larger sensitivity for thermal damage, the effect of which is also studied. Cooperation with several industrial partners within CHARMEC and the EU-project INNOTRACK.
• Characterisation of the effect of residual stresses induced by shot peening to improve fatigue properties. The survival of residual stress fields under heavy spectrum loading is focused on. Main industrial partner: Volvo Trucks.

The research is concentrated on deformation and fatigue behaviour of materials, complemented with optical and electron microscopy, image analysis, fractography etc. The influence of high and low temperatures, different strain rates, defects and cracks is studied. The mechanical properties are often implemented into material models used for computer simulation.

Head of the research group is Christer Persson
Email: christer.persson / at / chalmers.se