Karl Dahm

Karl Dahm

Distinguished Scientist

Applied Technologies

Leading innovation in materials science

I work as a Distinguished Scientist in the Applied Technologies team specialising in Advanced Engineering & Materials. My journey with Callaghan Innovation began in 2015 when I joined to spearhead a significant project focused on titanium metallurgy. Prior to that, I taught Manufacturing and Materials Science at Massey University and led groundbreaking research on novel materials highly resistant to wear and corrosion during my decade at Leeds University, UK.

You may know of the exceptional corrosion resistance exhibited by stainless steels. This is enabled by the formation of a thin protective layer, measuring less than 5nm in thickness (equivalent to 1/10,000th the diameter of a human hair).

One of the highlights of my career was developing a processing route for NiTi alloys, enabling a New Zealand company to manufacture products that were previously exclusively made by NASA. This achievement showcased the immense potential for innovation and collaboration in the field of materials science.

Together with my talented team at Callaghan Innovation, we will continue to revolutionise industries and shape a brighter future for New Zealand through groundbreaking research and technological advancements.

Areas of expertise
  • Microstructural analysis
  • Powder metallurgy
  • Tribology (Friction & Wear)
  • Corrosion
  • Surface engineering
  • Materials selection
Education
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), Auckland University, 1992
  • PhD (Chemical & Materials Engineering), Auckland University, 2000
Selected publications
  • Corrosion behaviour of powder metallurgical stainless steels, K.L. Dahm & N.G. Ross, Proceedings of Corrosion & Protection 2018, Paper 52, Australasian Corrosion Association.
  • Characterisation of NiTi cellular materials fabricated by the powder-metallurgy spaceholder technique, K.L. Dahm & K. Gabrysiak, Presented at CellMat2018, Bad Staffelstein, 24-26 October, 2018, DGM.
  • Cellular void-array materials with hierarchical features - a 2D study, K.L. Dahm, Presented at CellMat2018, Bad Staffelstein, 24-26 October, 2018, DGM.
  • Effects of Void Array Orientation on Compressive Properties of Cellular Structures, K.L. Dahm, P.N. McGavin, and I.W.M. Brown Advanced Engineering Materials, 2017, 19 (10): 1700060.
  • Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of a Ni-rich Ni-Ti Alloy in 3.56WT% NaCl, K.L. Dahm, Proceedings of Corrosion & Protection 2016, Paper 102, Australasian Corrosion Association.
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