An introduction to the Materials Research Cluster Ghent. Gathering 200 experts and researchers on Materials Research.

1. Materials Research Cluster Gent

2. 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 MSC
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.

3. Total offer
-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

4. Vision
-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

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

6. SIM – Strategic Initiative Materials
Thematic focus on materials for
- Energy and Light
- Durable & Sustainable structural materials
with Nanotechnology as an important enabler

7. SIM – Strategic Initiative Materials
Members:
AGC Associatie KULeuven
Agfa Materials NV Associatie Universiteit - Hogescholen Limburg
ArcelorMittal/Ocas Associatie Universiteit & Hogescholen Antwerpen
Bekaert NV Associatie Universiteit Gent
Recticel Universitaire Associatie Brussel
Solvay
Tyco Electronics
Umicore Research
Devan Chemicals
Nucomat
Agoria
Sirris Involved in projects: Imec, LMS, Novopolymers,
Centexbel Willy Naessens Construct
VITO

8. Flamac, a division of SIM
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.

9. 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.
Coatings Characterization
Thin films
Formulations

10. WHAT?
Helping companies of the technology industry
to implement technological innovations
To strengthen their competitive position over the long-term
HOW?
Making the right technological choices
for sustainable economical growth
Translating new technologies in
tangible products for a company
value innovation Taking into account the business
through & technology strategy of the company
technology

11. From individual services
to common research programs
•Materials Engineering •Additive Manufacturing
•Production Technology •Software Engineering & ICT
•Mechatronics •Technology Coaching

12. Sirris activities in Ghent
• Excellent casting process expertise and experience.
o Development of new casting alloys
• Thin-walled casting
o Casting process optimization
• Oxygen measurement in liquid metal
• Nodulisation and inoculation treatments
o Fully equipped prototype foundry
o 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 Design
o Computational Fluid Dynamics
o Thermal Management
o Topological Optimization

13. Belgian Welding Institute (npo)
• Independent research institute for welding
technologies and materials weldability
• Activities cover a wide range of:
o Research projects
o Industrial projects (bilateral)
o Technological advice
o Testing services
o Standardisation
o Training courses More info: www.bil-ibs.be

14. Belgian Welding Institute (npo)
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 materials
weldability

15. CLUSTA,
technology
CLUSTA, technology highway towards creativity
highway
towards
creativity
“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.”

16. CLUSTA,
technology
CLUSTA, technology highway towards creativity
highway
towards
creativity
KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION CENTRE ON:
METAL SHEET ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION 3D SHAPING CONSTRUCTIONS
COATING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT HIGH STRENGTH STEEL STAINLESS STEEL

17. CRM
• 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, ...)

18. CRM
• The Metallurgical and Thermo-mechanical
Processes department in Ghent focuses on
o Solidification & casting
o 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

19. CRM: from pilot line trials to industrial
implementation
Continuous hot rolling pilot line Laboratory ultra fast cooling installation Multi-purpose Dynamic Annealing
Mulpic cooling - Industrial cooling process for thick plate Industrial implementation of High
New lubrication technology in hot strip mill Turbulence Roll Cooling

20. CRM’s industrial members
Environment
Recycling Liquid Metal
EAF Casting
Solutions Metal transformation
Design Rolling
Construction
Process & Products Finishing
Partnerships
Pickling
Advanced MaterialsOpen Innovation
From metal to recycled Annealing
Applications metal
Metallic coatings
Surface functionalities
Galvanising
Nanocoatings Surface conversion
Organic Coating

21. 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.

22. 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

23. OCAS - Expertise
Metallurgy
steel grades for steel grade develop- improved efficiency weight reduction thanks steel grades for Metal Processing
energy transport ment for plates electrical steel to ultra high strength future hydrogen Centre
steel economy
Surfaces
enhanced increased easy manufacturing: heat transfer bio-active self-cleaning
aesthetics corrosion forming, painting, glueing, coatings coatings surfaces
resistance enamelling,...
Applications & Solutions
smart materials structural design of welding metal sheet rapid FEM simulations: product safety: risk
selection components prototyping forming, electro- assessment of welding
magnetic, heat,… fumes, CrVI, VOCs,…

24. Materials Research Cluster Gent
Critical mass at convergence of
university and industry