DIPLOMA WORK (M.SC. THESIS)
Evolution of tensile properties of aluminium alloys after exposure times at high temperatures.
Age hardenable 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) and 7xxx (Al-Mg-Zn) aluminium alloys are extruded by Sapa and
used in automotive structural parts, trains, boats, ships, and bridges due to its low weight, good
corrosion performance, and its easiness to be shaped into advanced designs.
After hot extrusion the aluminium profiles are artificially aged to reach stable and enhanced
mechanical properties measured by means of tensile testing. However, when these alloys are
exposed to sufficiently high temperatures for certain periods of time the microstructure will evolve
and consequently the tensile properties may be altered. For aluminium applications as heat
exchangers, this is of major relevance for materials selection and design purposes, and therefore the
reduction in tensile properties shall be quantified. All phenomena taking place during elevated
temperature tensile test such as plastic straining, recovery, precipitation and grain growth are
dependent on the initial chemical content of the alloy.
Sapa Technology in Finspång is the global R&D center of the Sapa Group. Sapa Technology serves
as a support team for developing new alloys, processes and design of products. We are interested in
compiling high temperature tensile testing data, ranking six of our alloys according to high
temperature performance, and understanding the evolution of these after exposure to different
combinations of time and temperature. These tasks require analysis of microstructure evolution and
some laboratory work.
The diploma work will consist of the following main parts:
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Literature study on elevated temperature tensile properties of aluminium alloys of interest.
Compiling, presenting and comparing extensive tensile test data.
Hardness measurements and microstructure analysis of selected samples.
If time permits - fracture analysis by advanced optical methods.
A suitable candidate should meet the following requirements:
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Solid knowledge in engineering materials and/or metallurgy.
Ambition and capability to carry out independent experimental work.
Capability to analyze the evolution of microstructure and its impact on tensile properties.
The diploma work has duration of 20 working weeks (full time) to start preferably after May 2016.
If you are interested or would like to have more information, please contact:
Jesus Mendoza,
Sapa Technology
Technical Manager - Mechanical Properties
Tel: +46 733 10 22 38
jesus.mendoza@sapagroup.com