- Polytech
- 4MAT
- Research
- Microstructure control of materials
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Microstructure control of materials
- NDIAMO Project
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The characterization of the amorphous structure of glass is still a major challenge in Materials Science. It is indeed much more complex than for their crystalline cousins.
The local characterization is even more complex. In the present project we propose to use Transmission Electron Microscopy to measure ‘Pair Distribution Fonctions (e-PDF)’ at the local scale in close collaboration with the world-renown Brussels-based company
Nanomegas. The materials investigated will be opalescent glasses whose optical properties are tuned by the size of the nano- to micro-scale phase separation. Those glasses are developed in collaboration with the European Research Centre of AGC, world leader in flat glass production.
Contact(s) : S. GODET (Promotor)
- AEROCT - SKYWIN Project
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Description project :
1. its inherent process-induced defects population,
Additive Manufacturing can be considered as a revolution in the aeronautic field, promising an increased design freedom and improved performances. However, aeronautics is governed by tight specifications on structural health, usually with a “zero-defect” policy when it comes to accepting parts. In this regard, AM implementation in the aeronautic field is inhibited for several reasons :
2. a lack of standards dedicated to AM noncritical defects,
3. a systematic use of 3D computed tomography for qualifying 3D-printed parts, due to its high precision and despite the high time consumption and cost associated with such NDT method.
Mission(s) of 4MAT : The AEROCT project, run by Belgian NDT companies X-RIS, MPP, Belgian AM PME Any-Shape and ULB & ULiège, aims at helping the implementation of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) AM technology in the aeronautic industry, by tackling several approaches.
First, the goal of the NDT industrial partners is to develop a tomograph optimized for AM applications, in terms of cost and configurations. This goes hand in hand with questioning the massive use of tomography, comparing to other NDT method (such as radiography and dye penetrant testing), towards the definition of business rules that tailor the use of tomography to specific inspection cases.
On the ULB side, 4MAT and ATM labs tackle a fundamental point of view, aiming at identifying the causes of the defects formation & their consequences during tensile and fatigue solicitations, so as to introduce corrective measures during the process, or at least to identify critical zones to be inspected in the studied framework.
Contact(s) : S. GODET (Promotor) – A. CHABOT (Post-Doc Researcher)
- STOEMP2 INNOVIRIS Project
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Description project : The stamping-overmolding process of high-performance thermoplastic composites is one of Syensqo’s Thermoplastic Composite Platform's spearheads to meet today's expectations for manufacturing strong, lightweight, sustainable, and affordable components for the automotive market.
Mission(s) of 4MAT : The STOEMP-2 project is thus aimed at achieving a reliable manufacturing process for lightweight stamped-overmolded thermoplastic components. In this way, STOEMP-2 collaborators Syensqo, ULB, and VUB address the technology gaps from TRL2 to TRL4 (Technology Readiness Level) and the proof of feasibility for the stamping-overmolding process. The associated key technological objectives are:
1. developing robust stamping-overmolding conditions,
2. creating a predictive computational chain for process assessment,
3. establishing a rigorous design methodology for hybrid structures,
4. understand the damage mechanisms of the composite and at the interface between composite & overmolded resin,
5. developing automated methods for defect and microstructure heterogeneities detection based on micrographs, to quantitatively assess the product quality from tape to panel, developing advanced non-destructive testing methods to evaluate interface quality.
Contact(s) : S. GODET (Promotor) – A. CHABOT (Post-Doc Researcher)
- COMPOST Project
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Syensqo is a world leader in terms of composite manufacturing and application, with a major emphasis on sustainability.
In the COMPOST project, the promises of recyclable thermoplastic composites are put to a “reality test”, by demonstrating the full chain needed to reproduce stamped and overmolded parts using production waste. Two main mechanical recycling routes are evaluated: (1) compounding finely ground recyclates into pellets suitable for injection molding and (2) direct consolidation of more coarsely ground recyclates into sheet molding compound plates. The effects of multiple recycling steps on the mechanical and physical material properties are measured at the micro-, meso- and macro-scale. Experimental observations are translated into numerical models for use in predictive macro-scale part simulations. Economic viability, environmental sustainability and technical feasibility of the full recycling chain is quantified based on the obtained performance of fully recycled stamped and overmolded demonstrator parts
Contact(s) : S. GODET (Promotor) – A. CHABOT (Post-Doc Researcher)
