Thesis worker - Circular Plastics for Future Truck Components

Introduction

A thesis project is an excellent opportunity to get to know Traton and build relationships for the future. Many of today’s employees began their Traton careers with a degree project.

Traton develops transport solutions for a changing world. Within cab research and advanced engineering  we work with the development of materials and components for future vehicles. CIRCAB2 is a project that explores how plastic waste from different parts of the truck value chain could be returned to new truck components.

Background

Plastic waste arises at several stages of a truck’s value chain, including production scrap and components reaching end of life. Returning this material to new products could support more circular use of resources, but its feasibility depends on the material’s properties, condition, processing history and ability to meet component requirements.

In this thesis, you will investigate collected plastic materials from different sources in the truck value chain. The materials may include different polymer types, for example polypropylene. You will characterize selected materials, compare their properties with those of virgin material, and use suitable material to manufacture truck component demonstrators. The resulting components will then be evaluated against defined requirements.

Objective

The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of using plastic materials recovered from different stages of the truck value chain in new truck components. The work will build an evidence-based understanding of how the collected materials perform compared with virgin raw material and whether components made from them can meet relevant requirements.

Job Description

The thesis work is expected to include:

• Reviewing relevant literature and defining the characterization and evaluation approach
• Identifying and documenting the sources and condition of collected plastic materials
• Characterizing selected materials and comparing their properties with virgin material
• Assessing material preparation and manufacturing considerations
• Manufacturing selected truck component demonstrators using suitable recovered material
• Evaluating the demonstrators against defined requirements using agreed test methods
• Analyzing results and drawing conclusions about feasibility, limitations and further work
• Collaborating with engineers, researchers and students working on related CIRCAB2 topics
• Presenting results and recommendations for future development

The detailed scope and methods will be agreed with the student and supervisors based on the available materials, facilities and project requirements.

Education programme and focus

Master’s student in materials engineering, polymer technology, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, product development or a related field.

An interest in polymers, material characterization, testing, manufacturing and circular use of materials is valuable. Experience with laboratory work, data analysis or component testing is an advantage. Good collaboration skills are required, as the thesis may be part of a set of parallel projects working towards the wider CIRCAB2 objectives.

Number of students

The project can be carried out by one student or by a pair of two students.

Start date and duration

To be agreed. The project is expected to correspond to a 30 hp master’s thesis.

Contact persons and supervisors

Lars Jerpdal, Technical Manager, lars.jerpdal@se.traton.com

Viktor Wåhlin, Manager, viktor.wahlin@se.traton.com

Application

Please include your CV, a personal letter and a transcript of grades. In your personal letter, describe your interests and relevant experience, and tell us which parts of the project you would be most interested in exploring.

A background check might be conducted for this position. Interviews may be held continuously, and the recruitment may close before the application deadline.