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

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

Do you want to contribute to the next generation of industrial tools used by customers worldwide? Are you interested in advanced heat treatment technologies and how they influence fatigue performance, durability, and manufacturing quality? We are looking for a motivated master's student to investigate how advanced nitriding technologies can improve the performance, durability, and manufacturing quality of highly loaded gear components. 

This project combines materials science, heat treatment technology, tribology, fatigue performance, and product development. The results may contribute directly to future Atlas Copco products by helping define surface hardening strategies for highly loaded tool components. 

Practical information

Location: Our HQ in Sickla, Stockholm 
Start: Q1 2027 
Duration: 6 months, or according to agreement 
Number of students: The thesis project is intended for one student and will be carried out in close collaboration with Atlas Copco specialists.   

Background

Atlas Copco is exploring a transition from carburizing to nitriding as a surface hardening method for highly loaded tool components. The aim is to better understand whether nitriding can provide the required fatigue performance while reducing distortion and improving process stability. 

This thesis will focus on an angle gear head, where the 110° bevel gear set has been identified as the first component for this investigation. The gear set will be hardened using four variants of nitriding and nitrocarburizing, both in-house and through external sourcing. The current carburizing process used for Atlas Copco steel serves as the reference condition for comparison. 

Scope

As a thesis student, you will combine literature review, experimental work, material characterization, testing, and engineering analysis. 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. 

The objective of this thesis is to establish the relationship between surface treatment characteristics and fatigue performance of highly loaded bevel gears. 

The work is expected to include: 

• Literature Study: investigate nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes, relevant steel grades, and surface hardening mechanisms for highly loaded components. 
• Material Characterization: investigate the hardened materials through hardness measurements, metallographic examination, microstructural analysis, residual stress evaluation, and assessment of compound layer and diffusion zone characteristics. 
• Testing and Failure Analysis: support ongoing testing of bevel gears and evaluate failure modes using microscopy and engineering analysis. 
• Evaluation and Conclusions: establish the relationship between surface treatment characteristics and fatigue performance and provide recommendations for future development. 

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with experienced material specialists and product development engineers within Atlas Copco's R&D organization. 

To succeed, you will need

You are pursuing a master's degree in Materials Engineering, or a related field. 

It is beneficial if you have knowledge of, and/or a strong interest in: 

• metallic materials and heat treatment 
• metallography and microscopy 
• fatigue and fracture mechanics 
• material testing and characterization 

You are analytical, curious, and enjoy combining experimental work with engineering analysis. You are self-driven and proactive. You communicate effectively and enjoy collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines. 

This thesis is an excellent opportunity for students who want to build practical expertise in metallic materials, surface hardening, and fatigue performance while gaining insight into how material engineering supports product development in a global R&D organization. 

In return, we offer you

As a thesis student at Atlas Copco, you will be part of an experienced R&D environment where your work can contribute to future product development. You will gain hands-on experience in materials evaluation, heat treatment, testing, and analysis while working closely with specialists and real engineering challenges. 

At Atlas Copco, you’ll thrive in a friendly environment, develop your skills, and see ideas take shape. You will also have the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the Atlas Copco Group and gain insight into product development in a global industrial company. 

Application & more information

If you're interested in this position, please apply with your CV only - no personal letter - and answer the questions on the application form. We only handle applications received through our website.  

For more information, please contact recruiting manager Nicolas Meyer, nicolas.meyer@atlascopco.com or material expert Thomas Björk, thomas.bjork@atlascopco.com 

We warmly welcome your application!