Final thesis on laser welding of cast aluminum (m/w/d)

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros.

You are looking for an exciting thesis in the field of aluminum casting, welding technology, or laser-based welding? Then become part of our #OneTeam and write your practice-oriented thesis in cooperation with the Chair of Laser Technology LLT at RWTH Aachen University.

Aluminum casting alloys are currently only considered to be partially suitable for fusion welding. The reason for this is material irregularities that vary depending on the casting process (e.g., sand casting, die casting, or pressure die casting). In particular, gas inclusions and voids in the material can lead to increased porosity of the weld and to melt pool expulsion during welding. This affects the connection quality and can render the component unusable. The aim of this work is to better understand how these material defects interact with the laser-based welding process.

What you will do

The focus of your research work will be on analyzing the causes of weld pool ejections during laser beam welding and deriving preventive measures.
Depending on the focus, your tasks will include
- Literature research, metallographic analyses and microscopy
- Carrying out and evaluating welding tests (with and without beam shaping)
- and/or the theoretical/simulative analysis of weld pool ejections (physical explosion model)

What you bring to the table

You are studying engineering, materials science, physics, or a comparable field
Your working style is independent, organized, and structured
You already have basic knowledge in materials science
Ideally, you have gained initial experience in laser beam welding of aluminum-based alloys, but this is not a strict requirement

What you can expect

👥 Team spirit: Creative, interdisciplinary environment with a motivated team, flat hierarchies and a “you” culture.
🖥 Workplace: Excellent machinery and equipment as well as first-class office facilities.
💪 Co-creation: Practice-oriented final thesis in an innovative applied research environment.
🧘‍♀️ Work-life balance: Benefit from flexible working hours on a trust basis.
➕ Advantages: Opportunity to benefit from exciting corporate benefits.
🚐 Travel: Good transport connections, parking spaces directly in front of the institute, an e-charging station and a parking garage.

The position is temporary until completion of the final thesis.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled people are given preference if they are equally qualified.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Did you already know? We give you even more insights on our LinkedIn profile.🗯️

Questions about this position will be answered by
Mr. Patrick Meyer M.Sc
Telefon +49 241 8906-135

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

www.ilt.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 79154 Application Deadline: 05/31/2025

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