Master Thesis - SKF Automotive Business Thermal stability and microstructural integrity of martensitic bearing steels during grinding

By creating bearings and solutions for everything from industrial applications to vehicles, SKF plays an essential role in our everyday lives. In Q4 2026, SKF intends to spin off its Automotive business and list it as a separate company under the name of SKF Vertevo. A company created to support the future of the automotive market, and to co-drive the future of mobility faster. This project will be a part of that new company. Would you like to join us, and move people further? Master Thesis - SKF Automotive Business Thermal stability and microstructural integrity of martensitic bearing steels during grinding Introduction In production grinding of steels, the temperature in the grinding zone is typically higher than the boiling point of the used cutting fluid. High temperatures generated during grinding can alter the microstructure of bearing steels and reduce bearing fatigue life. Preventing this thermal damage requires a reliable understanding of how grinding heat is generated, transferred into the workpiece, and affected by the steel and abrasive properties. The heat generated can be measured as the power needed by the grinding spindle, but the resulting temperature load is dependent on the properties of the material what is ground and the abrasive used. The project focuses on shallow-cut grinding of tempered martensitic bearing steels. Under mild grinding conditions, the peak surface temperature remains below the tempering temperature, and no significant microstructural alteration is expected. However, for cost efficient production, production pace and consumption of grinding wheel needs to be optimized without deterioration of the material integrity. A robust process-control strategy must therefore combine measured grinding data with material-specific thermal and transformation models. Such calculations were previously difficult to perform in real time, but edge computing and connected machines now make model-based control feasible. This thesis will determine the material parameters needed for such control for two commonly used martensitic bearing steels. Purpose The purpose of the thesis is to characterize and compare the thermal stability of two martensitic bearing steels. In this context, thermal stability refers to the resistance of the tempered martensitic microstructure to transform into softer phases. The work will:

• determine material properties governing heat transport;
• establish a time–temperature relationship for relevant microstructural transformations;
• conduct grinding trials to validate the material response under production-relevant conditions; and
• assess how the resulting parameters can support in-process quality control.

- Time frame The thesis covers 30 credits/ 20 weeks and begins at the end of January 2027. We are looking for two master’s students with a background in materials science, mechanical engineering, production engineering, applied physics, or a related field. An interest in heat treatment, metallography, grinding, numerical modelling, or manufacturing data analysis is an advantage. The work is expected to include literature review, experimental planning, material characterization, grinding trials, data analysis, model development, and technical reporting. Location This project will be performed jointly at SKF in Gothenburg and the Department of Industrial and Materials Science, CTH. Further questions and how to apply Please send your application, including CV, no later than 2026-11-30 via the Apply-button. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on an ongoing basis. The position may therefore be filled before the application deadline. Please note that we are unable to accept applications via email. If you have any questions, please contact tomas.gustavsson@skfvertevo.com