Mechanical behaviour, fatigue and fracture of materials

• Advanced mechanical characterisation
  • Parameters relevant for cold and hot sheet forming
  • Mechanical properties of metallic, polymeric and compound materials (from low to high temperature and from micro to macro scale)
  • Mechanical, adhesive and mixed bonds
• Formability studies
• Implementation of online inspection techniques and non-destructive testing
• Fatigue and fracture behaviour of metallic alloys, ceramic materials and polymers
• Developing specific tests to predict in-service performance using fracture mechanics
• Laboratory and in-service characterisation (instrumentation) of components subject to mechanical forces
• Assessing fracture toughness of sheet metals
  • To address cracking events using proprietary methodology based on essential work of fracture
• Determining fatigue behaviour in a few hours using advanced tests

New processes for advanced materials

• Studies of metallic material forming processes
  • Under laboratory conditions (plasto-dilatometry); conceptual and process window analysis
• Processing studies using thermomechanical means at the pilot plant level
• Metal sheet thermomechanical forming
  • Hot stamping of boron steels, aluminium alloys and stainless steels
• Heat treatment study
  • Determination of CCT and TTT diagrams; solubilisation and artificial ageing studies; relaxation under strain
• Analysis of severe plastic deformation processes by experimentation and finite element simulation
• Customised metallic powder characterisation and production by centrifugal atomisation
• 3D printing of metals with laser beam powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) technology

Light alloys

• Selection of the most suitable alloys and optimisation of heat treatment for light alloy processing processes
  • Casting, stamping, forging, extrusion, etc.
• Designing and developing bespoke aluminium alloys with high recycled aluminium content
• Analysis of the effect of impurities, micro-addition of elements to minimise the effect of impurities, casting of parts by High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC),
• Permanent Mould Casting (PMC) and sand casting, microstructural and mechanical characterisation
• Ultrasonic metal treatment applications
• Degassing and cleaning of liquid metal in HPDC. Dispersion of ceramic particles and nanoparticles in metal
• Sensorisation of die casting equipment and moulds and development of mechanisms which adapt to process variations
• Analysis of damage mechanisms and search for solutions to extend the service life of forming tools
  • Moulds for HPDC, printing tooling, extrusion dies, etc.
• Innovation in die casting processes, including vacuum-assisted injection

Corrosion and deterioration

• Assessment of the effect of the aggressive medium on the aesthetic and functional properties of the materials
• Assessment of the resistance to deterioration of ceramic and polymeric materials in different aggressive conditions
• Hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue in structural components and tribocorrosion
• On-site identification of corrosion and surface deterioration mechanisms. Assessment of progress in corrosion and failure prediction
• Quantification of the critical hydrogen content that affects mechanical properties through TDA
• Corrosion mechanism study using potentiometric techniques
• Assessment of paint protection according to ISO 12944.
• Corrosion testing
  • Cyclic according to ASTM, ISO, VDA, DBL, Renault, VW, in neutral salt spray, acetic acid salt spray and cupro acetic salt spray according to ISO 9227, ASTMB B117, DIN 50021
  • In constant humidity according to ISO 6270
  • Bespoke according to the exposure environment (-20º C-60ºC) and mechanical stress. Environment simulations: tropical, dry, desert, etc.
• Atmospheric corrosion resistance tests according to ISO 9223, ISO 9225 for the determination of the corrosivity of the environment. Exposure in real environments.
• Assessment of corrosion failure mechanisms in industrial components and products in service: cutting tools for the food industry, pipes, carbonated beverage cans, etc.
• Selection of protective materials and systems

Light alloys

• Metallic, ceramic materials and lubricants wear and friction
• On-site inspection of surface damage in industrial components
• Wear mechanisms in forming tools: characterisation of the main failure mechanisms and assessment of alternatives with improved performance
• Designing lab tests to assess wear resistance
• Advanced surface characterisation by scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (EDX) and high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD), confocal and focus variation microscopy.
• Micro-mechanical characterisation: instrumented indentation, contact fatigue, micro-traction, scratch resistance tests
• Numerical control machining tests and analysis of the properties of machined surfaces. Assessment of alternatives for zero-defect manufacturing.
• Lubricant tests: Stribeck curves, effect on the tools and the end product

Surface technology

• Development of PVD and CVD functional coatings on metals, plastics and ceramics
• Development of functional surface treatments through ion implementation
• Development of coatings for multiple applications
• Hard and low-friction coatings for tribomechanical applications
• For protection against corrosion and anti-fouling
• For biomedical applications, for renewable energies: fuel cells, solar thermal, etc.
• Coatings as an alternative to electrolytic chromium plating
• Decorative coatings
• Advanced characterisation of coatings and surfaces