Hot Isostatic Pressing
The CALHIPSO platform is an innovative EQUIPEX+ project that aims to deploy Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)technology in key sectors such as aeronautics, defense, and nuclear energy. The project takes a comprehensive approach, combining experimentation, modeling, and simulation to develop HIP solutions tailored to the specific needs of industry.
Led by Frédéric Bernard, Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Burgundy (uB), the project brings together expert partners in the application of HIP technology: the ICB Laboratory, the CEA Grenoble Laboratory for Innovation in New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials, the Centre de Mise en Forme des Matériaux (UMR 7635 CNRS–PSL / Mines ParisTech), and the company Framatome. This collaboration provides CALHIPSO with a cutting-edge scientific environment, featuring complementary equipment that covers both manufacturing processes and characterization tools.
Sintering Platform (Dijon)
We also have a Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) machine, which makes it possible to produce dense, complex-shaped materials from metallic or ceramic powders by applying high argon pressure.
This equipment can also be used to bond solid parts of different natures through diffusion welding. Both pressure and temperature ramps can be adjusted independently.
HIPress: QIH 15L (Avure)
Chamber dimensions: ø 186 mm, h 500 mm
Maximum temperature: 2000 °C (heating rate up to 50 °C/min)
Maximum pressure: 2000 bar
Contact
J-P.Chateau-Cornu@ube.fr
Phone: +33 3 80 39 61 46
Planetary Ball Mill
Mechanosynthesis is the process of synthesizing an alloy inside a ball mill through a succession of fracturing and welding operations. However, this mechanical milling requires long grinding times, which can lead to contamination of the powder by the milling tools.
It is nevertheless possible to perform mechanical activation using short-duration, high-energy milling (P4, Fritsch). This method enables the production of nanostructured aggregates or agglomerates. To obtain the desired alloy, a thermal treatment must then be applied to the mechanically activated powder mixture. This mechanical activation helps reduce annealing and sintering temperatures due to both grain size reduction and the accumulation of defects.
Planetary Ball Mill P4 (Fritsch)
Jar volumes: 12 mL to 500 mL
Rotation speed: 0 to 400 rpm
Contact
Frederic.Bernard@ube.fr
Tél : +33 3 80 39 61 25
CALHIPSO is equipped with two Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) machines, also known as flash sintering systems. This process enables the densification of all types of powdered materials — metals, ceramics, composites, and more.
Our equipment allows samples to be subjected to high-intensity electrical currents (typically 0–10 V, 1–30 kA) while applying pressures of several tens of MPa, across a temperature range from ambient up to 2400 °C.
HPD-125 (Manufacturer: FCT Systeme GmbH)
Sample size: ø 30–160 mm, h 60–80 mm
Max temperature: 2400 °C
Force: 1250 kN
Heating rate: 600 °C/min
Atmosphere: vacuum, inert (argon, nitrogen), or reducing (hydrogen)HPD-10 (Manufacturer: FCT Systeme GmbH, Model: HPD 10)
Sample size: ø 8–40 mm, h 30–50 mm
Max temperature: 2400 °C
Force: 100 kN
Heating rate: 400 °C/min
Atmosphere: vacuum or inert (argon, nitrogen)
Contact
Sophie.Le-Gallet@ube.fr
Phone: +33 3 80 39 61 6
Laser and Assembly Platform (Le Creusot)
The ICB Laser Hall, located in Le Creusot, implements various laser processes — including welding, cutting, and marking — as well as more conventional arc welding techniques.
Over the past 25 years, the expertise developed has led to a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach (covering thermal, hydrodynamic, mechanical, metallurgical, and physico-chemical aspects), enabling a deeper understanding of the phenomena involved in the interaction between the energy beam and matter, as well as the effects induced by this interaction.
The research activity combines strong experimental components, including:
Process optimization (design of experiments)
Process instrumentation (high-speed imaging, thermometry, thermography, Digital Image Correlation – DIC, and physico-chemical and mechanical characterizations)
The platform also integrates multiphysics numerical simulations:
Thermo-hydraulics: modeling of laser welding in keyhole mode (capillary formation, etc.) and modeling of electromagnetic couplings in arc welding.
Thermomechanics: modeling of stress formation in assemblies to understand the phenomena and control their effects, addressing both scientific questions and industrial challenges.
The platform is equipped with several laser sources:
TRUMPF TRUDISK 6001: Yb-YAG laser (1030 nm), continuous, maximum power 6 kW (minimum 100 µm fiber), mainly used for welding.
TRUMPF HL304P: Nd-YAG laser (1064 nm), pulsed, maximum average power 330 W (peak 9 kW), mainly used for cutting.
ROFIN SLM40D: Nd-YAG laser (1064 nm), pulsed, maximum average power 40 W (peak 61 kW), used for marking, as well as conventional welding processes including TIG, MIG, and CMT (Cold Metal Transfer).
For numerical modeling, the platform mainly relies on commercial software such as COMSOL, ABAQUS, and ANSYS.
The platform’s connection with the socio-economic world is facilitated through SATT SAYENS.