Material In-Use Properties
Cyclic or complex mechanical behavior of metallic parts is studied by combining modeling approaches like finite element with dedicated tests to feed these models with relevant data. In-use material properties such as fatigue, creep, deep drawability, bending and forming behavior, or crash resistance involve multiaxial loads that require specific testing facilities.
Additionally, home-engineered sensors and inspection tools allow us to valorize extra information, providing detailed insights into material properties and mechanical behavior.
The way metallic parts are assembled has an important impact on their in-use behavior. Hence our extensive testing range of joining techniques like traditional, laser and electron beam welding, friction stir joining, riveting and glueing offers a way to compare and stay at the forefront of existing and new assembling technologies.
Today, additive manufacturing is considered as one of the novel trends in producing complex and functional parts, but to reach industrial productivity and produce large parts, the combination of conventional techniques and additive ones leads to even more optimal results.
For the evaluation of surface property behavior, such as corrosion resistance, performance under specific weather conditions, or complex environments due to the emerging hydrogen economy, we offer extensive testing through advanced electrochemistry facilities and one of the largest salt spray and UV exposure laboratories in Europe.
In addition, we have access to several sites for real-life outdoor conditions testing. Once a part is damaged through corrosion or a combination of mechanical and environmental factors, our team of material experts can reconstruct many of the factors through a post-mortem analysis of the failed parts and advise on potential improvements.
Dedicated activities on stress-corrosion cracking are specifically deployed for the aeronautics sector, as highlighted in our most recent news articles.
At both ends of the temperature and pressure range, CRM Group can accommodate different sizes of parts to be tested. Standard examples include fire testing of specific construction elements and validation of the operational behavior of valves in incident conditions. Similarly, recent challenges in the energy transition introduce cryogenic conditions for multiple gas and liquid handling installations.
CRM Group is accredited for several types of tests under the International Standard ISO17025, in particular for hydraulic testing of parts under pressure, helium leakage testing, and fire resistance testing of hydraulic components.
