Course syllabus for Joining for disassembly

Course syllabus adopted 2025-10-09 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFogning för demonterbarhet
  • CodeTRA505
  • Credits2.5 Credits
  • OwnerTRACKS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • DepartmentTRACKS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 97244
  • Maximum participants30 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Minimum participants10
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0125 Project 2.5 c
Grading: TH		 2.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Course round 2

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 97249
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0125 Project 2.5 c
Grading: TH		 2.5 c

    Examiner

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    Eligibility

    General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)

    Specific entry requirements

    A degree of at least 180 ECTS within Engineering and/or Technology or the equivalent. English proficiency equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

    Course specific prerequisites

    In addition to the general requirements to study at the second-cycle level at Chalmers, necessary subject or project specific prerequisite competences (if any) must be fulfilled. Alternatively, the student must obtain the necessary competences during the course. We recommend that students have a background in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics or similar. The examiner will formulate and check these prerequisite competences. The student will only be admitted in agreement with the examiner.

    Aim

    The course introduces students to a range of joining techniques with a focus on sustainable design and engineering practices that could lead to increased circularity in material flows. Emphasis is placed on non-fusion-based methods such as adhesive bonding, mechanical joining and brazing. Special attention is given to the possibility of disassembly for reuse and recycling for each of the methods introduced. Students will learn how joining techniques influence structural performance, recyclability, and cost efficiency and dwell on the compromises that could be necessary between manufacturability, structural performance, and possibilities for disassembly. The course encourages a critical and practical approach to selecting joining methods based on material properties, mechanical function, and environmental constraints.

    Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

    • Discuss joining concepts more suitable for disassembly in design and manufacturing, and contrast them with fusion methods like welding.
    • Evaluate adhesive bonding, mechanical joining, soldering, and brazing in terms of materials, requirements, and cost.
      • Identify suitable adhesive bonding techniques, and discuss surface treatments for different engineering applications.
      • Compare mechanical joining methods (e.g., riveting, clinching, hemming) and assess their pros and cons for sustainable design.
      • Understand basic principles of brazing, including metallurgy and joint design.
  • Select appropriate joining methods for aluminium-to-aluminium and aluminium-to-other-metal applications.
  • Communicate technical choices in multidisciplinary contexts, considering sustainability, manufacturability, performance, and circularity.

    • Content

    The course introduces metal component joining as an aspect of sustainable design focusing on alternatives to high-temperature processes such as fusion welding.
    • Adhesive bonding in terms of joint design, adhesive types, bond configurations, and necessary surface treatments.
    • Mechanical joining methods such as clinching, hemming, riveting, mechanical interlocking, and threaded fasteners are examined with respect to material compatibility, structural performance, cost, and recyclability - particularly for aluminium-to-aluminium and aluminium-to-other-metal connections.
    • Fundamentals of soldering and brazing, including basic definitions, joint design considerations, and key metallurgical principles relevant to low-temperature joining.
    Across all topics, the focus is on evaluating joining strategies in terms of material properties, sustainability, and real-world application.

    Organisation

    The course emphasizes active dialogue both among participants and between participants and lecturers. It integrates theory with professional practice through a blend of in-person sessions, online workshops, and self-paced study via the Canvas learning platform. Between the sessions and workshops, participants engage in lectures, literature studies, analyses, and reflective exercises while networking and collaborating with peers.

    Literature

    1. The Aluminum joining manual
      https://aec.org/aluminum-joining-manual
    2. The materials science behind sustainable metals and alloys - Raabe 2023,
      https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00799
    3. Making sustainable aluminium by recycling scrap: The science of "dirty" alloys - Raabe et al. 2022,
      https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2022.100947
    Additional selected articles from international journals will be provided on Canvas. With input from the teaching team, students will be encouraged to identify and acquire relevant literature throughout their projects.

    Examination including compulsory elements

    • Participation including preparatory quizzes
    • Project presentations
    • Oral examination

    The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.