30 credits – Surface and interface properties of multi-layered coatings on fasteners i Sodertalje

Scania is now undergoing a transformation from being a supplier of trucks, buses and engines to a supplier of complete and sustainable transport solutions.

Thesis project at Scania is an excellent way of making contacts for your future working life. Many of our current employees started their career with a thesis project.

Background:

Zinc alloy and zinc flake coatings are commonly used on fasteners in the automotive industry. Sometimes these coated fasteners are covered with additional paint layers. There is a need for method development for adhesion and chemical resistance tests for these complex combinations of coatings and paint layers on small parts such as fasteners.

Target:
The project objectives are to:

• evaluate and find adhesion testing methods that correlates with field exposure for zinc alloy and zinc flake coated fasteners covered with additional paint layers
• investigate levels of paint adhesion and chemical resistance for the most common coatings on fasteners
• investigate adhesion mechanisms and failure modes by characterization of surface and interface properties.

Assignment:
The work will be performed in the group Materials Technology for Cab and Bus body at Scania in Södertälje. This group provide and maintain expert knowledge in the fields of surface treatment and corrosion protection, plastics, composites, adhesives and rubber materials.

The work will start with a literature study on the subject. The student will get the opportunity to visit a surface treatment facility to see how the fasteners are painted and to inspect vehicles in the field. This will be followed by data analysis and possibly design of new experiments. The evaluation of the project results will be presented both in writing and orally.

The main work for this thesis is experimental, which includes:

• Adhesion tests with several different methods, chemical tests and corrosion tests.
• Material characterization and investigation of the chemical and structural properties of the different layers in the coatings by means of optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, FTIR and other suitable methods.

Education:
Master of Science or equivalent: Materials Engineering / Engineering Chemistry / Engineering Physics / Mechanical Engineering

Number of students: 1
Start date: According to agreement.
Estimated time needed: 20 weeks

Contact persons and supervisors:
Anneli Önsten, Development engineer, 08-553 86347,