Materials Research Cluster Gent

History

OCAS and CRM established in 2008 the Metal Processing Centre (MPC) on the Zwijnaarde campus of Ghent University. A benchmark in terms of lab processing of metals (sharing equipment, maintenance, purchasing).

In 2009, to complement MPC’s alloy production, the Metal Structures Centre (MSC) was created with Ghent University’s Soete lab and the Belgian Welding Institute to provide services, technical support, consultancy and intensified R&D collaboration in the field of large-scale metal structures (e.g. wind mills, pipelines, heavy machinery).

Sirris, Clusta, SIM, Flamac decided to join. Start of the cluster in 2011, all partners grouped together. Consolidation of state of the art equipment park.

MSCMSCMSC

-Focus & further specialisation of each partner

-More than 250 scientists and engineers

-Full offer from nanoscale characterisation to large scale real size structural testing

-Majority of the partners metal oriented

Total offer

-Better integration of different knowledge domains

-Combining strengths of university groups and industrial R&D

-Growth potential at Zwijnaarde campus

-Increase attractiveness of traditional engineering studies

-Open initiative

-Optimal synergy for top performance and cost efficiency

Vision

SIM is a platform for financing and managing of strategic materials research by knowledge centers and companies in Flanders. SIM’s ambition isto further strengthen the strong position of the material’s industry in Flanders on medium and long term.

SIM – Strategic Initiative Materials

Thematic focus on materials for - Energy and Light- Durable & Sustainable structural materialswith Nanotechnology as an important enabler

SIM – Strategic Initiative Materials

Members:

AGCAgfa Materials NVArcelorMittal/OcasBekaert NVRecticelSolvayTyco ElectronicsUmicore ResearchDevan ChemicalsNucomatAgoriaSirrisCentexbelVITO

SIM – Strategic Initiative Materials

Associatie KULeuvenAssociatie Universiteit - Hogescholen LimburgAssociatie Universiteit & Hogescholen AntwerpenAssociatie Universiteit GentUniversitaire Associatie Brussel

Involved in projects: Imec, LMS, Novopolymers,Willy Naessens Construct

Flamac develops and applies high-throughput technologies for accelerated materials research.

High-throughput technologies allow to significantly speed up the development of materials by a factor 10 at least and improve reproducibility of experimentation by automation. Design of experiment & data-mining strategies further increase the development speed.

Applications include e.g. inks, consumer goods, polymers, functional coatings, ceramic and alloy materials, advanced thin film materials, ...

Flamac has collaboration agreements with major international players in the chemicals and materials industry.

Flamac, a division of SIM

Unique infrastructure and expertise for the accelerated synthesis, application and characterization of materials as well as design of experiment and data-mining strategies.

Flamac, a division of SIM

Formulations

Coatings

Thin films

Characterization

WHAT?Helping companies of the technology industry

to implement technological innovationsTo strengthen their competitive position over the long-term

HOW?Making the right technological choices

for sustainable economical growth

Translating new technologies intangible products for a company

Taking into account the business & technology strategy of the company

value innovationthrough

technology

From individual services to common research programs

•Additive Manufacturing•Software Engineering & ICT•Technology Coaching

•Materials Engineering•Production Technology•Mechatronics

• Excellent casting process expertise and experience.o Development of new casting alloys

• Thin-walled castingo Casting process optimization

• Oxygen measurement in liquid metal• Nodulisation and inoculation treatments

o Fully equipped prototype foundryo First time right casting products

• Redesign of welded structures to casting products

• Lab facilities for characterization and testing• Expertise in design methods and tools

o Structural Designo Computational Fluid Dynamics o Thermal Management o Topological Optimization

Sirris activities in Ghent

• Independent research institute for welding technologies and materials weldability

• Activities cover a wide range of:o Research projectso Industrial projects (bilateral)o Technological adviceo Testing serviceso Standardisationo Training courses

Belgian Welding Institute (npo)

More info: www.bil-ibs.be

Main activity areas:

• Specialised advise for welding and material weldability

• Mechanical testing of metals or assemblies (standard and specialised)

• Carry out failure investigations, based on visual assessment coupled with the required (electron) metallography, or replica investigations if needed

• Investigate corrosion failures as well as carrying out corrosion testing

• Assisting companies in obtaining certification according to EN1090, EN3834, EN13445, EN15085, etc

• Delegated by the NBN as standardisation sub-office for Welding Technologies, as well as official Belgian representative for commitees ISO/TC 44 en CEN/TC 121;

• Organisation of education (including official IIW welding training courses), conferences and workshops in a broad field of joining materials and materialsweldability

Belgian Welding Institute (npo)

CLUSTA, technology highway towards creativityCLUSTA,

technologyhighwaytowardscreativity

“Clusta is an organisation that pursuits innovation within the metal sector in Belgium.

From a strategically built place in the innovation network, Clusta works on improving product development and implementing technologies.

By means of technological advice and guidance, Clusta helps the SME’s to obtain international competitivity.”

CLUSTA, technology highway towards creativityCLUSTA,

technologyhighwaytowardscreativity

METAL SHEET ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION 3D SHAPING CONSTRUCTIONS

COATING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT HIGH STRENGTH STEEL STAINLESS STEEL

KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION CENTRE ON:

• R&D, Technology & Innovation in the field of Steel production & applications & associated materials

• Located in Ghent & Liège

• Unique & strong competence in synergy between process & product aspects along the whole production chain (Casting, rolling , cooling, coating, recycling, ...)

CRM

• The Metallurgical and Thermo-mechanical Processes department in Ghent focuses ono Solidification & castingo Rolling technology

• Work roll performance• Lubrication technology• Scale control & strip surface quality• New processes & production routes

o Cooling technology• In rolling & annealing lines• Product & process (roll-cooling)

o Metallurgical knowledge & product development

CRM

CRM: from pilot line trials to industrial implementation

Continuous hot rolling pilot line Laboratory ultra fast cooling installation

Mulpic cooling - Industrial cooling process for thick plate

Multi-purpose Dynamic Annealing

Industrial implementation of High Turbulence Roll CoolingNew lubrication technology in hot strip mill

CRM’s industrial members

Liquid Metal

Casting

Metal transformation

Rolling

Advanced Materials

Applications

Solutions

Design

Construction

Surface functionalities

Nanocoatings Surface conversion

Organic Coating

Recycling

EAF

Finishing

Pickling

Annealing

Process & ProductsPartnerships

Open InnovationFrom metal to recycled

metal Metallic coatings

Galvanising

Environment

OCAS NV- Missions

OCAS meets its customers’ needs–by developing alloys and coatings,–by co-developing steel applications, –by processing and testing of metal-based samples

OCAS valorizes its know-how through product & solutions development, licenses, joint ventures and spinoffs.

OCAS - Markets

Industrial markets including -appliances, mechanical construction and engineering, heavy plate, tubes and pipes, HVAC, radiators, drums, furniture, electro-magnetic applications, energy generation, transport and storage systems, off-shore applications

-Covering product mix from 0,2 to 100 mm

OCAS - Expertise

Metallurgy

Surfaces

Applications & Solutions

Metal Processing Centre

bio-active coatings

steel grades for energy transport

steel grade develop-ment for plates

improved efficiency electrical steel

steel grades for future hydrogen economy

weight reduction thanks to ultra high strength steel

self-cleaning surfaces

enhanced aesthetics

easy manufacturing: forming, painting, glueing, enamelling,...

increased corrosion resistance

heat transfer coatings

smart materials selection

structural design of components

welding metal sheet rapid prototyping

FEM simulations: forming, electro-magnetic, heat,…

product safety: risk assessment of welding fumes, CrVI, VOCs,…

Critical mass at convergence of university and industry

Materials Research Cluster Gent