Thesis Worker 30 hp - Gearbox Lubrication: Can Water-Based Lubricants Meet Future Driveline Demands?

Introduction


Thesis work is an excellent opportunity to get closer to TRATON AB and build valuable relationships for the future. Many of today's employees began their careers at TRATON through their degree projects.
This thesis offers the opportunity to contribute to sustainable mobility by investigating the chemistry and performance of water-based lubricants for driveline and gearbox applications. Through laboratory experiments and chemical analyses, you will explore how the properties of water-based lubricants evolve under operating-relevant conditions, identify the mechanisms that govern their lubrication performance, and evaluate their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional transmission oils.

Background


TRATON AB is undergoing a major transformation, evolving from a supplier of trucks and buses into a provider of complete and sustainable transportation solutions. As part of this transformation, the company is continuously exploring technologies that can reduce environmental impact and improve resource efficiency. Lubricants are essential for the reliable operation of gearboxes and driveline components, providing friction reduction, wear protection, cooling, and corrosion prevention. Traditionally, these functions have been achieved using mineral or synthetic oil-based lubricants. However, increasing sustainability demands are driving interest in alternative lubrication concepts with reduced environmental footprint. 

Water-based lubricants offer several attractive properties, including excellent cooling capacity, low flammability, and reduced dependence on fossil-based raw materials. Recent developments in additive chemistry, polymer technology, and surface engineering have improved their tribological performance, making them increasingly relevant for industrial and automotive applications.

Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. The mechanisms by which water-based lubricants provide wear protection, form lubricating films, and interact with gearbox materials are not yet fully understood. In addition, concerns regarding corrosion, material compatibility, and long-term stability must be addressed before widespread implementation can be considered. As the transportation industry moves towards more sustainable solutions, there is a growing need to understand whether water-based lubricants can meet the demanding requirements of future driveline systems.

This thesis project offers the opportunity to investigate the chemistry and lubrication mechanisms behind water-based lubricants and assess their potential for future gearbox applications.

Objective

The objective of this thesis is to improve the understanding of how the chemical composition of water-based lubricants influences their performance in driveline and gearbox applications. You will work closely with experts from TRATON's transmission development, materials technology teams to:

• Conduct a literature review on water-based lubrication, tribo-chemistry, and sustainable lubricant technologies.
• Investigate the role of additives, polymers, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, and other lubricant components.
• Develop an experimental methodology for evaluating water-based lubricants.
• Perform laboratory testing and chemical characterization of selected lubricants.
• Assess opportunities and limitations for future implementation in driveline systems.
• Document findings in a written report and present results to relevant stakeholders within TRATON.

Job description

This thesis combines practical laboratory experimentation with theoretical analysis and interpretation of results. The project will focus on understanding how water-based lubricant chemistry influences performance under conditions relevant for gearbox and driveline applications.

You will:

• Review scientific literature related to water-based lubrication and gearbox tribology.
• Plan and perform laboratory experiments using selected water-based lubricant lubricants.
• Characterize physical and chemical lubricant properties using analytical techniques.
• Compare the performance of water-based lubricants with conventional gearbox oils.
• Present conclusions and recommendations for future driveline applications.

Education

Do you enjoy solving technical challenges through hands-on experimentation? We are looking for a driven and curious student who wants to deepen their understanding of lubricant technology while working alongside experienced engineers and researchers in a multidisciplinary environment.

M.Sc. student in Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or Engineering Physics.
Number of students: 1
Start date for the thesis work: January 2027

Estimated time required: 20 weeks, full time (40 hours/week)

Contact persons and supervisors

Mayte Pach, Ph.D., Associate Senior Engineer,  Materials Technology for Propulsion System Chemistry, TRATON AB  + 46 8 553 862 49, Mayte.Pach@se.traton.com
Rocio Farias, MSc., Development engineer, Materials Technology for Propulsion System Chemistry, TRATON AB, +46 8 553 744 11, Rocio.Farias@se.traton.com
Ragna Elger, Ph.D., Group Manager, Materials Technology for Propulsion System Chemistry, TRATON AB +46 8 553 854 12, Ragna.Elger@se.traton.com

Application:

Your application must include a CV, personal letter and transcript of grades

A background check might be conducted for this position. We are conducting interviews continuously and may close the recruitment earlier than the date specified.