Master Thesis: Recycled aluminium in battery casing application – microstru

Swerim AB; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation SEK 50,000

Job summary

Swerim AB in Stockholm invites a Master’s student to explore microstructure–property relationships in recycled aluminum alloys for battery casing applications. The project will investigate how alloying elements and impurities affect weld quality and performance, using light microscopy and SEM for detailed characterization.

The student will model and compare results with experiments, aiming to predict weld behavior from alloy composition, within the Net Zero initiative.

Qualifications

• Master's student in Materials Science, Metallurgy, or related field.
• Experience with microscopy or welding metallurgy is advantageous.
• Interest in microstructure–property relationships in metallic materials.

Responsibilities

• Characterize welds using light microscopy and SEM, focusing on precipitates, segregation, porosity and cracking.
• Correlate alloy chemistry with weld microstructure and performance.
• Perform property calculations and compare modeling with experimental results.

Skills

Materials science

Microscopy

Welding metallurgy

Aluminum alloys

Education

Master's student in Materials Science

Tools

Light microscopy

SEM

Job description

This master thesis is part of the Net Zero Impact Innovation-funded BAALSCRAP project (BAttery casings from ALuminum alloys with low carbon emissions produced from SCRAP), which aims to enable the production of battery cell housings from recycled aluminum scrap and thereby support the transition towards a circular and net-zero automotive industry. The project investigates how alloying elements and impurities originating from recycled feedstock affect manufacturing processes and material performance. The thesis will focus on the relationship between microstructure and weld properties of recycled aluminum alloys for battery casing applications. The work will involve detailed characterization of welds using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with emphasis on precipitates, intermetallic particles, segregation, porosity, cracking, and other welding-related defects. The influence of recycled alloying elements and residual impurities on weld quality and performance will be assessed and correlated with material properties. In addition, property calculations (e.g. crack susceptibility) will be used to predict weld performance as a function of alloy composition. The modeling results will be compared with the experimental observations to improve the understanding of microstructure evolution during welding and to help explain the relationship between alloy chemistry, weld microstructure, and weld performance.

Desired Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated Master's student in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, or a related field. The ideal candidate has an interest in experimental research and materials characterization, with a particular focus on microstructure-property relationships in metallic materials. Experience or coursework in microscopy, welding metallurgy, aluminum alloys, or electron microscopy is advantageous but not required.

Additional Information

The project is planned to be carried out during the spring semester of 2027 at Swerim in Stockholm. Upon successful completion of the Master's thesis (30 ECTS credits), Swerim will provide a compensation of SEK 50,000.

Contact

For further information about the project, please contact: Shirin Nouhi, [e-mail]