Course syllabus

TRA530 Component design for disassembly and recyclability lp3 VT26 (7.5 HEC)

Course design

The course is offered within the Tracks program, and is composed of three 2.5 HEC courses, each examined separately. The modules are defined as separate Tracks-courses:

Module 1, TRA 505 Joining for Disassembly

Module 2, TRA 510 Weld Design for Sustainability

Module 3, TRA 515 Cast component design for recyclability

As a student in TRA530, you will be added to the three modules. Further information will be given within each module.

The courses are part of CIRCUMET, Advanced School on Circular Metal ComponentsLinks to an external site. for the Swedish Manufacturing Industry funded by KK-stiftelsenLinks to an external site.. The aim is to develop 80-90 credit courses at an advanced level on the topic of climate action in the metal component manufacturing industry.

image003.png

Contact details

  • Examiner and Lecturer TRA 505, TRA 510, TRA530 Johan Ahlström, johan.ahlstrom@chalmers.se
  • Examiner and Lecturer TRA515 Sheng Guo, sheng.guo@chalmers.se
  • Guest teachers TRA510 Ebrahim Harati, University West, ebrahim.harati@hv.se and Karthikeyan Thalavai Pandian karthikeyan.thalavai-pandian@hv.se
  • Guest lecturers, see individual modules

 

Course purpose

The course provides a platform to work and solve challenging cross-disciplinary authentic problems from different stakeholders in society such as the academy, industry or public institutions. Additionally, the aim is that students from different educational programs practice working efficiently in multidisciplinary development teams.

Module 1, Joining for Disassembly
The module 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 module encourages a critical and practical approach to selecting joining methods based on material properties, mechanical function, and environmental constraints.

Module 2, Weld Design for Sustainability
The module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to design sustainable welded components and structures by integrating technical competence, international standards, and sustainability considerations. You will learn to apply principles of weld design, evaluate materials and processes, and make design choices that ensure quality, durability, and resource efficiency. In addition, the module builds a fundamental understanding of welding processes, their physics, and the most common non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. Incorporating sustainability and circularity, students will gain the analytical skills to make informed decisions in weld design and quality assurance.

Module 3, Cast component design for recyclability
The module aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills for designing cast components that enable efficient recycling and contribute to circular material flows. Casting plays a central role in many industries, yet recyclability is often compromised by material choices, process routes, and design features. This module addresses these challenges by introducing students to the relationships between alloy composition, casting processes, component geometry, and recyclability outcomes.

Students will gain insights into lifecycle thinking and the role of foundries in the circular economy, learning how to evaluate cast products not only for performance and cost but also for their environmental footprint and potential for reuse. The module highlights the critical role of design in enabling high-quality secondary materials and avoiding downcycling, while also addressing current regulations and emerging sustainability standards.

By integrating theoretical principles with case studies and practical design exercises, students will develop the ability to critically assess existing cast components and propose innovative solutions that improve recyclability without compromising functionality. The module thus prepares students to take an active role in advancing sustainable engineering practices and shaping the future of recyclable casting in industrial applications.

Schedule

See individual modules.

Course literature

See individual modules.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

  • master problems with open solutions spaces which includes to be able to handle uncertainties and limited information.
  • lead and participate in the development of new products, processes and systems using a holistic approach by following a design process and/or a systematic development process.
  • work in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate in teams with different compositions
  • show insights about and deal with the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environment and societal context.
  • orally and in writing explain and discuss information, problems, methods, design/development processes and solutions

Additional learning outcomes Module 1, Joining for Disassembly:

  • 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.

Additional learning outcomes Module 2, Weld Design for Sustainability:

  • Compare common welding processes and materials, focusing on weldability, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Understanding the basic theory of structural systems and strength of materials relevant to weld design.
  • Classify welds and interpret welding drawings for different joint and weld types.
  • Outline weld simulation and how welding affects materials, including internal stresses and their impact on mechanical properties.
  • Describe common non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for finding weld defects.
  • Propose suitable construction and weld design choices under different loading conditions whilst considering quality requirements, durability, and sustainability.

Additional learning outcomes Module 3, Cast component design for recyclability:

  • Explain global recycling trends and their implications for casting industries.
  • Evaluate alloy systems and their recyclability, considering contamination risks, material separation, and remelting behavior.
  • Assess the influence of different casting processes and design features on recyclability and resource efficiency.
  • Apply principles of design for recycling (DfR), including material marking, digital product passports, and eco-design tools.
  • Analyse sector-specific case studies and compare conventional vs. recyclable casting design strategies.
  • Propose cast component solutions that balance manufacturability, performance, cost, and recyclability.
  • Interpret relevant recycling standards, codes, and regulatory frameworks influencing casting design.

 

Link to the formal syllabus on Studieportalen:

https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/find-course-and-programme-syllabi/course-syllabus/TRA530/?acYear=2026/2027

Examination form

See individual modules. When all three modules are passed, the course TRA530 will be reported as completed in Ladok. Grades will be weighted into a final grade.