(M/F) Research engineer on processes for transforming machining chips from a titanium alloy into powder for additive manufacturing

27 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut Clément Ader

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering
Physics » Acoustics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

16 Feb 2024 – 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

10 Apr 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The machining of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy parts (the main material used in the aerospace industry) results in a material removal rate (chips) of up to 90% of the initial mass, and chemical contamination of the chips by cutting oils. Today, most of these chips are recycled, but cannot be returned to the industry. In fact, the decontamination processes used do not enable aeronautical quality to be achieved after recycling. What’s more, they are energy-intensive and problematic for the environment. This study will focus on the recovery of decontaminated chips, and more specifically on processes for transforming chips into powder for use in aeronautical additive manufacturing (AM). The methods envisaged should be less energy-intensive and less harmful to the environment than existing methods.

The activities associated with this study are
 Benchmarking of chip-to-powder processes
 Characterization of powders obtained: morphology, composition, microstructure, etc.
 Manufacture of FA specimens and mechanical characterization

This study is part of the RECULITI project (Recycling and co-valorization of critical metals (lithium, titanium) from Li-ion batteries and machining chips from the aerospace industry). It aims to explore new approaches to the recycling of critical lithium and titanium metals, based on innovative technologies and co-valorization of the recovered metals. RECULITI is therefore mainly in line with Circulades ambition 3: “Strengthen positioning on differentiating themes in Occitania”. In particular, it proposes a thematic study corresponding to the roadmap of the key challenge on “The life cycle of strategic and critical metals and the reuse of materials in the construction, energy and mobility sectors”. RECULITI involves 6 Occitanie laboratories (ICGM, ICSM, ICA, RAPSODEE, MoMa) and two industrial partners (MECACHROME and SNAM).

The postdoctoral fellow will also take part in seminars planned as part of the Circulades key challenge and in RECULITI project progress meetings. In addition, this work will be carried out in collaboration with Master 2 trainees (beginning of February/March 2024) and a PhD student (beginning of October 2023), who will focus on aspects of chip decontamination. The postdoc will be encouraged and helped to valorize the results by writing articles in international journals.
Throughout this work, the postdoc will be supervised by teaching researchers from the ICA and RAPSODEE research centers. Monthly videoconference meetings and half-yearly face-to-face meetings will be organized to support this project.

The activities associated with this study are
 Benchmarking of chip-to-powder processes
 Characterization of powders obtained: morphology, composition, microstructure, etc.
 Manufacture of specimens using an FA process and mechanical characterization

The postdoctoral fellow will also take part in seminars organized as part of the Circulades key challenge, and in RECULITI project progress meetings. In addition, this work will be carried out in collaboration with Master 2 trainees (beginning of February/March 2024) and a PhD student (beginning of October 2023) who will focus on chip decontamination aspects. The postdoc will be encouraged and helped to valorize the results by writing articles in international journals.

Institut Clément Ader (ICA, CNRS UMR 5312).
The ICA is a research laboratory dedicated to the study of mechanical structures, systems and processes. Our areas of activity are in line with those of the mechanical industries, with a particular focus on projects in the aeronautics, space, transport and energy sectors. Our work generally focuses on behavioral modeling, instrumentation and durability studies for the structures or products under consideration. A major part of our research focuses on composite materials, which are now playing an increasingly important role in structures.

The ICA employs around 80 teaching and research staff, 20 temporary researchers, 20 administrative and support staff, 90 doctoral students and a large number of trainees. With the distinctive feature of having :
– on the supervisory level, staff from four major establishments: UPS and INSA from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, ISAE from the Ministry of Defense, Mines Albi from the Ministry of Industry,
– geographically, with staff based in four towns in the Midi-Pyrénées region: Albi, Figeac, Tarbes and Toulouse.
The management team is made up of a director and two deputy directors, with the three supervisory ministries represented in this trio. The technical support team (BIATSS staff) is organized into three components, one for each ministry.
The laboratory is organized into four research groups:
– MSC Group: Composite Materials and Structures
– SUMO group: Surface, Machining, Materials and Tools
– MS2M Group: Modeling of Mechanical Systems and Microsystems
– MICS Group: Metrology, Identification, Control and Monitoring

This thesis work is in line with the research themes of the SUMO group.

The location of the thesis will be on :
INSTITUT CLEMENT ADER
3, rue Caroline Aigle
31400 Toulouse, France
The position is located in an area covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent MESR authority.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics » Acoustics

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

– Collaborative work, communication
– Creativity and capacity for innovation
– Circular economy and recyclability of metals.

Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics of Materials. He/she has a taste for experimentation and collaborative work. Knowledge and/or experience of additive manufacturing would be highly appreciated. Autonomy, rigor and the ability to make proposals will be essential to the success of the project.

Additional comments

RECULITI is therefore mainly in line with ambition 3 of Circulades: “Strengthen positioning on differentiating themes in Occitania”.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5312-DAMTEX-018/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut Clément Ader

Country

France

City

TOULOUSE

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5312-DAMTEX-018/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

TOULOUSE

STATUS: EXPIRED