ANR JCJC #INSTINCT

Project INSTINCT aims at paving the way towards mechanical characterization of materials subjected to extreme environmental conditions at small scales. These extremities include high strain rates (<10.000/s) and temperatures varying between cryogenic (down to -150°C) up to medium ranges (room temperature to ~400°C). In particular, project INSTINCT aims to study materials’ characteristics in the hydrogen context by gaining knowledge on how the presence of hydrogen modifies dislocation nucleation and mobility.

Collaborators: Szilvia Kalácska (LGF EMSE), Guillaume Kermouche (LGF EMSE), Frederic Christien (LGF EMSE), Yann Charles (LSPM), Marc Fivel (SIMAP), Péter D. Ispánovity (ELTE), S. Queyreau (LSPM)

Hydrogen related experiments

Hydrogen can be either pre-charged into the material or introduced in situ. The realization of combining in situ charging with in situ micromechanical and analytical techniques (such as HR-EBSD, SKPFM, etc.) will be priority in this part of the project.

Strain rate related experiments

In order to compare the H-free and H-loaded mechanical behaviour of micron to sub-micron sized samples, the project will carry out quasi-static (QS) and high strain rate (HSR) studies on various materials.

Temperature related experiments

High (up to 400°C) and cryogenic (down to -150°C) temperature indentation and deformation at the micron scale is being more widely used to study microstructural changes in materials. This part of the project aims to study temperature related mechanical behaviour of materials.

Comparison of experiments and simulations

Only little is known about the materials’ response in extreme conditions, hence small-scale computational modelling will be used through collaborations to interpret the results (discrete dislocation dynamics - DDD, finite element modelling - FEM).