IntroductionThesis 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 sustainab
