Master's Thesis: Evaluation of Test Methods for AFP-Manufactured Thermoplastic Composite Materials

Are you a student eager to apply your theoretical knowledge and fresh perspectives to real-world challenges? At Saab, we believe that innovation thrives on new ideas, and your master thesis project could be the spark that ignites our next technological breakthrough.

Background

Saab Dynamics AB is growing and to meet the challenges to efficiently increase productivity, new manufacturing methods and materials are being investigated. One increasingly important manufacturing technology for advanced composite structures is additive manufacturing by Automated Fiber Placement (AFP). For AFP-manufactured composites made from slit tape feedstock, there is currently limited understanding of how well existing test methods capture the actual performance and failure behavior of the material.

Historically, most material characterization and test methods have been developed for thermoset-based composite materials and are today standardized through ASTM standards and various internal company procedures. Differences in material behavior, manufacturing processes, damage mechanisms, defect types, and failure modes may influence how accurately traditional thermoset test methods characterize thermoplastic materials.

Your Role:

The purpose of this Master's thesis is to evaluate the applicability and transferability of established composite test methods, originally developed for thermoset materials, to AFP-manufactured thermoplastic and thermoset composites produced from tape.

The work aims to identify:

• Which test methods can be directly applied to AFP-manufactured thermoplastic materials.
• Which methods have limitations or may generate misleading results.
• How differences in material systems and manufacturing processes influence test outcomes.
• Potential needs for modified testing procedures or alternative characterization approaches.

Your Profile:

The work is suitable for 2 students with an interest in composites and thermoplastics. You are at the end of a Master’s degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering or materials engineering and are about to start a 30 credits degree project. Completed courses at the advanced level in the field of materials engineering are merit for the thesis.

This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.

CONTACT PERSON

Pär-Göran Sandvall,

Manager: par-goran.sandvall1@saabgroup.com,

076-896 78 49

Federica De Magistris,

contact person / supervisor: federica.de.magistris@saabgroup.com, 073-446 23 46

What you become part of:

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations. Read more about us here.