Bachelor thesis or Master thesis
© IKVPlastic/metal hybrid components are widely used in the automotive, electronics and aerospace sectors due to the combined use of material-specific properties to reduce the weight of structural components and improve mechanical properties. One challenge in the use of bonded or welded joints is their removability, which is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of “design for recycling”. Form-fit, plastic-independent connections in the form of structured metal components can provide a remedy here. When using multi-dimensional form-fit elements, however, the specific design and positioning of the structures must be taken into account with regard to the pressures acting in the back-injection process on the one hand and the subsequent direction of load in the application on the other.
The work is related to this research project:
Your thesis is part of the interdisciplinary research project HySurf with the Institute of Welding and Joining Technology at RWTH Aachen University.
Objective:
In order to analyze the relationships between the macroscopic form-fit structures and the resulting composite properties, an understanding of the geometry- and process-related interactions must be established. The aim of your work is to use practical tests to evaluate the influence of the structure geometry, arrangement or process control in the back-injection process on the load-path-compatible bond as well as the releasability.
Your task:
| For a Bachelor's thesis, you will work on the following tasks: | For a Master's thesis, you will work on the following tasks: |
| Thematic familiarization with the field of plastic/metal hybrid and recycling technology | Thematic familiarization with the field of plastic/metal hybrid and recycling technology |
| Execution of injection molding tests | Execution of injection molding tests |
| Analysis of the resulting composite properties and correlation with the process data | Analysis of the resulting composite properties and correlation with the process data |
| Execution of injection molding simulations to determine the pressure and temperature conditions during back injection molding |
Your profile:
Preferred study programs
- Mechanical engineering / industrial engineering, specialising in mechanical engineering
- General mechanical engineering
- Computational Engineering Science (CES)
- Simulation Sciences
- Materials science
- Industrial engineering, specialising in materials and process engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Applied Polymer Science (M.Sc.)
If you are interested in a versatile thesis at IKV, please contact me. We agree on the exact scope and schedule individually. You are also welcome to contact us for an informal phone call or meeting.