Jonna Lind

One challenge for the future is to produce energy-efficient vehicles. This should also be done to a lower price, both when it comes to raw material and production.

Polymeric composites can provide both of these if we compare with metals, which are traditionally used in industry. In addition, polymers have endless possibilities when it comes to solid and internal lubrication. However, more knowledge and better understanding of how polymeric composites behave in tribological contacts is required. That's where my research comes in. If we can understand the basic mechanisms of these materials, we can better develop their use in e.g. automotive industry.

I study high-performance polymeric composites and try to explain its frictional and deformation behavior in tribological contacts. Mechanisms of material transfer and the structure of tribo films are also something I try to understand.

I do this with the help of tribological testing and both surface characteristic and chemical analysis. This includes techniques such as SEM, EDS, XPS and cross-sectional studies.

Part of my project was carried out together with Kongsberg Automotive and funded by the Research Council of Norway.

I have a Master’s degree in Science and Engineering with specialization in Chemical Engineering with a focus on materials at Uppsala University and plan to defend my thesis in the beginning of 2021.