Materials and Surfaces Engineering Platform

PIMS
Mechanics and civil engineering Platform Science for a changing planet

The PIMS platform contributes to the understanding of the process-microstructure-properties relationship with the aim of improving the performance and durability of materials and structures. The platform comprises 3 poles allowing the elaboration of materials by conventional processes, the elaboration by additive manufacturing (Powder Injection Molding) and the characterization of their microstructures and properties. Using our equipment, we can not only control the relationships between the parameters of the elaboration process, the microstructure and the mechanical properties of a metal alloy on the scale of a simple geometry specimen, but also transpose them to the scale of a larger casting with a more complex geometry in order to optimize its properties. We also work on friction materials and are able to develop materials with formulation and manufacturing process control. The PIMS platform is strongly connected to the ISIS4D and 4Maat platforms. We are open to all academic and industrial collaborations and propose services in line with our expertise.

Informations

Technical director: Arnaud Beaurain
Technical director: Jean-François Witz
Scientific director: Denis Najjar

Bâtiment ESPRIT, Avenue Paul Langevin
Campus Cité scientifique, Université de Lille
59650 VILLENEUVE D'ASCQ

Mots-clés

Materials, Structures, Surfaces, Manufacturing process, Characterization, Microstructure, Usage properties, Additive manufacturing, Tribology

Localisation

  • Metal alloy
  • Ceramics
  • Friction materials
  • Development processes
  • Microstructures
  • Mechanical properties
  • Thermal properties
  • X-ray tomography
  • Surface topography
  • Surface electrochemistry

Examples of projects:

  • Development and characterization of aluminum alloy specimens with controlled microstructures and defects for automotive applications
  • Development of organic-based friction materials incorporating biosourced and/or recycled elements
  • Additive manufacturing of passive components by topological optimization
  • Elaboration by casting or controlled solidification of metallic materials 
  • Development of friction materials (filled polymers)
  • Elaboration by additive manufacturing of metals and ceramics 
  • Characterisation of the microstructures of  materials 
  • Characterisation of the thermal and thermomechanical properties of materials 
  • Electrochemical and topographic characterisation of surfaces

We possess a wide range of equipment:

  • Foundry and controlled solidification equipment for the elaboration of metallic materials
  • Equipment for the elaboration of friction materials (Press with heated platens, Blender) 
  • Additive manufacturing equipment  for metals and ceramics (Printers and furnace for, debinding and sintering)  
  • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the characterisation of materials microstructures 
  • Optical profilometry for the characterisation of materials topography 
  • Equipment for thermal and thermomechanical properties identification  (LFA, dilatometer, hot disk, TGA/DSC)

Academic
University of Sfax (Tunisia), Technion (Israel)

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