Chemical Engineering Intern - Summer 2027

Constellium • Plymouth Charter Township, MI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This internship focuses on the 'Development of Fluoride-Free Chemical Pickling for Superior Etching Efficiency and Surface Quality'. Surface treatments like Ti/Zr conversion coatings or A951 pretreatment are applied to automotive aluminum sheets to enhance adhesion and corrosion resistance. Acid pickling is a crucial step before surface treatment to remove oxides and inhomogeneities, creating a clean surface. Fluoride-assisted pickling solutions are effective but pose significant health and safety risks due to hydrofluoric acid (HF). This project aims to develop a fluoride-free pickling solution that matches the performance of conventional fluoride-containing systems, improving operational safety. Understanding the effects of pickling chemistry and additives on aluminum surface microstructure and subsequent pretreatment is key to optimizing the process.

Requirements

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Corrosion Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated eagerness to learn and develop new laboratory and materials characterization skills.
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals and working in a laboratory environment.
• Solid understanding of laboratory safety practices and procedures is a must.
• Strong aptitude for operating laboratory equipment and conducting sample preparation, chemical test, and characterization (e.g., microscopy and related techniques).
• Ability to learn effectively from mentors and collaborate with team members.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates pursuing a Master's or PhD degree are preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature review on environmentally friendly fluoride-free pickling solutions and additives.
• Design and execute DOE studies to evaluate the effects of pickling chemistry and additives on etching performance.
• Perform surface characterization such as SEM/XPS analysis to assess pickling-induced surface modification.
• Evaluate the impact of pickling on subsequent pretreatment deposition and bonding performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern