SCR/CM – INSA : Chemical Sciences of Rennes - Metallurgical Chemistry Group

UMR CNRS 6226

Research topics

Structural metallurgy, properties of titanium, zirconium, hafnium and aluminium-based alloys

• Microstructural and nanostructural transformations during thermal and thermomechanical treatment. Characterisation of transformation kinetics. This research primarily concerns ß or metastable-ß Ti- and Zr- based alloys:  Solid-state transformation, recrystallisation and texture. Characterisation of plastic deformation mechanisms
• Zr- and Al-based metallic glass: devitrification, thermally activated nanocrystallisation mechanisms.
• Mechanical properties (hardness, tensile and compression tests).
• Textures induced by cold-rolling.

Solid-state diffusion

• Interdiffusion in metals and Ti, Zr, Hf, Mo, V, and Nb based alloys.
• Radiotracer diffusion.
• Metal-gas Interaction: formation of hard coatings by nitriding, oxidation and oxynitriding.
• Diffusion in multi-component systems: diffusion paths.
  

Technology transfer

Special alloys for the aerospace and automobile industries as well as the nuclear and biomedical sectors:

• SNECMA Moteurs - groupe SAFRAN (Vernon, Gennevilliers)
• Messier-Dowty
• AUBERT et DUVAL (MICROSTEEL S.A. : patent pending)
• TIMET
• CEZUS - FRAMATOME
• Association Titane
  

Facilities

High temperature reactions and melting

• Arc furnace - Induction furnaces -cold reactor
• Cold crucible levitation melting

Forming (rolling)

• Heat treatments (hardening, annealing) : In controlled atmosphere (Argon, Nitrogen), In vacuum or ultra-high vacuum

Characterisation (structural studies, physicochemical properties)

• Metallography: Optical Microscopy, Electronic Microscopy
• Electron microprobe
• X-ray diffraction: Powders, texture
• Electron diffraction: EBSD
• Thermal measurements: Differential thermal analysis. Microcalorimetry. Thermogravimetry. Thermoresistivity. Dilatometry
• Diffusion measurements: Interdiffusion. Radiotracer diffusion
  

Partnerships and international relations

France

• Electron Probe Micro-Analysis Center “Microsonde Ouest” - IFREMER Brest
• Universities of Rennes 1, Paris 6, Rouen, ENSCP, IUT Saint-Nazaire, ENSAM Angers, etc.
• INSERM unit 443, Bordeaux 2
• U.T. Compiègne (Laboratory of Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering)
• CECM of CNRS at Vitry sur Seine

Abroad

• University of Iasi (Romania)
• European Contract KRAFT (Germany, UK, Italy)
• University of Vienna and Technical University of Vienna (Austria)
• Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge (UK).