Approach to research

The approach takes into consideration both the scientific and technical constraints of an industrial object. It comprises different stages:

Expertise

The technical and economic challenges that implicate a system’s sustainability ‘’recyclability’ are the target of expertise. This expertise enables us to identify the type of corrosion that the industrial product is subject to.

Studying corrosion mechanisms – Choice of solutions

Studying corrosion mechanisms enables us to identify the relations between the volume and surface characteristics of materials (morphology, metallurgy, composition and mechanics) and their performance. In this stage, identifying the indicators allows us to optimise the functional properties of surfaces by repeating the parameters of development and/or formatting for example, or simply by design choices.

Optimisation – Transfer of technology

Once the characterisation/performance relation has been established, the optimised industrial product is put into service as part of a transfer of technology whose degree of team implication depends on its optimisation. This could range from an object to propsoing a choice of materials. Using this approach, the Elaboration-Characteristics-Performance triptych is covered.

Tools for measuring corrosion and on-site monitoring

From the importance of indicators stems the need to adapt tools for experiments capable of evaluating or enabling us to monitor systems in service. Here the CorrIS team is considered to be one of the best at developing Acoustic Emissions for monitoring processes and installations in the chemical industry. This aspect extends the skills of the laboratory to include dependability. Generally speaking, our studies fall within the scope of collaborative research with the support of an industrial partner or as part of larger programmes, we involve university colleagues (national and international) and research centres, with backing from the Ministry of European Research.

Areas of intervention

The group’s scope covers all industrial domains. Identified by regional manufacturers, the laboratory’s results are forwarded to the chemical, surface finishing, biomedical and oil industries. Its national recognition enables collaborations in the aeronautics, civil engineering and nuclear power industries to be established. The knowledge acquired in the surface reactivity sector has led to RI2S being consulted for its expertise. The books and CD –Roms it has produced on corrosion and surface finishing reinforce its position in continuing training programmes and scientific activities, notably through CEFRACOR and SF2M.