Thaneshan Sapanathan

Thaneshan Sapanathan is a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University's Curtin Corrosion Centre, affiliated with the WASM School of Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering/Material Science from Monash University. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing processes, particularly magnetic pulse welding, friction stir welding, and additive manufacturing. Specializing in dissimilar material joining, corrosion studies, and composite materials, he employs advanced characterization techniques like SEM, EBSD, and neutron diffraction. His work bridges computational modeling (FEA, multiphysics simulations) with experimental validation to optimize material performance and interfaces.

Key research areas include interfacial phenomena in high-speed impact welding, microstructural evolution under extreme conditions, and corrosion resistance mechanisms. He collaborates internationally on projects involving titanium-aluminum joints, aluminum-copper composites, and CFZnL composites. His contributions span over 95 publications, emphasizing practical applications in automotive and aerospace industries. He leads projects on material selection maps, fracture toughness analysis, and fatigue behavior, with a strong focus on sustainable manufacturing solutions.

Labs/Teams: Principal investigator in the Curtin Corrosion Centre, collaborating with institutions like the University of Technology of Compiègne and IMDEA Materials Institute. Active in high-impact interdisciplinary teams addressing challenges in solid-state joining and material durability.