Master Thesis: Materials Engineering: From Carburizing to Nitriding (Steel Heat Treatment)

Manufacturing & Production · Production & Assembly · Manufacturing Engineering · Quality Assurance

In short

Join Atlas Copco for a Master's thesis in Materials Engineering focusing on steel heat treatment, specifically comparing carburizing and nitriding technologies for highly loaded gear components. This project combines materials science, heat treatment, and product development to enhance performance, durability, and quality for future industrial tools. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, the internship offers hands-on R&D experience.

Responsibilities

Investigate nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes, relevant steel grades, and surface hardening mechanisms.
Characterize hardened materials through hardness measurements, metallographic examination, microstructural analysis, residual stress evaluation, and assessment of layer characteristics.
Support ongoing testing of bevel gears and evaluate failure modes using microscopy and engineering analysis.
Establish the relationship between surface treatment characteristics and fatigue performance.
Provide recommendations for future development.

Requirements

Pursuing a master's degree in Materials Engineering or a related field.
Knowledge of, and/or a strong interest in metallic materials and heat treatment.
Knowledge of, and/or a strong interest in metallography and microscopy.
Knowledge of, and/or a strong interest in fatigue and fracture mechanics.
Knowledge of, and/or a strong interest in material testing and characterization.
Analytical, curious, and enjoy combining experimental work with engineering analysis.
Self-driven and proactive.
Effective communication skills and enjoy collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines.

Desired Qualifications

The thesis project is intended for one student and will be carried out in close collaboration with Atlas Copco specialists.
The results may contribute directly to future Atlas Copco products by helping define surface hardening strategies for highly loaded tool components.
The project combines materials science, heat treatment technology, tribology, fatigue performance, and product development.
The project is suited for a student who enjoys connecting theory with practical R&D challenges and wants to understand how material choices influence real product performance.

Benefits

Contribute to future product development at Atlas Copco.
Gain hands-on experience in materials evaluation, heat treatment, testing, and analysis.
Work closely with specialists and real engineering challenges.
Thrive in a friendly environment.
Develop your skills.
See ideas take shape.
Opportunity to connect with colleagues across the Atlas Copco Group.
Gain insight into product development in a global industrial company.

Skills

metallographymicroscopyfatiguefracture mechanicsmaterial testingmaterial characterizationheat treatment

#materials engineering#steel heat treatment#carburizing#nitriding#fatigue performance#durability#manufacturing quality#gear components#materials science#tribology#product development#surface hardening#tool components#R&D

About Atlas Copco

Atlas Copco delivers innovative products and solutions that help businesses grow and drive progress. Our portfolio spans compressed air and gas systems and treatment, vacuum solutions, industrial power tools, assembly systems, and power and flow solutions. We bring a commitment to long-term success built on expertise, reliable service, and uptime. When you level to the Atlas Copco experience you enter a partnership based on quality, sustainability, and ease of collaboration. The technology we bring, and the decades of experience support the future-proofing of your business.

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