On July 1st, CRM Group proudly launched five new RFCS (Research Fund for Coal and Steel) projects, four of which we are coordinating. These projects—Metconzero, Vismain, Olacskin, and EdgerRolls—represent significant strides towards improving steelmaking technologies and processes. The fifth project, SafeHDRI, sees CRM Group contributing as a key partner. These initiatives underscore our commitment to driving technological innovation and collaboration within the steel industry.

What is RFCS?
The RFCS is a European program dedicated to funding research and development in the coal and steel sectors. By supporting projects that enhance safety, sustainability, and technological advancement, the RFCS plays a crucial role in helping industries meet the environmental and economic challenges of today.

Overview of Our Projects:

Metconzero (Metallurgical Consequences of Zero Carbon Steelmaking)
This project focuses on understanding the metallurgical impacts of zero-carbon steelmaking processes. As we shift towards circularity, more complex input flows will affect alloying conditions, altering microstructures and the final properties of steel. Metconzero aims to study these changes to ensure the production of high-quality, zero-carbon steel grades.

Vismain (Visual Assisted Inspection of Rolling Stands)
The Vismain project seeks to improve the safety and efficiency of visual inspections in hot strip mills. Current methods often provide poor visibility and expose maintenance workers to risks. Vismain will develop a visual inspection system that offers better results without compromising safety, reducing the need for personnel to physically enter the rolling stands.

Olacskin (On-Line Laser Cleaning of Skin-Pass Rolls)
Olacskin aims to create a dry skin-pass cleaning system using laser technology to remove zinc and detect defects in real-time. The project will develop a portable sensor prototype capable of capturing high-quality images of zinc stains, enabling accurate defect detection through an advanced algorithm.

EdgerRolls (Advanced Manufacturing and Improved Performance of Hot Rolling Mill Edger Rolls)
This project focuses on improving the supply and performance of tapered edger rolls for European hot strip mills. By adapting advanced manufacturing methods and improving cooling, lubrication, and caliper geometries, EdgerRolls will help enhance the performance and durability of these critical components.

SafeHDRI (Safe Transport of H2-Based Direct Reduced Iron)
The SafeHDRI project addresses the safe transport of hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H-DRI), focusing on reactivity, stability, and the effectiveness of passivation methods. By evaluating safety risks and the reusability of materials, SafeHDRI aligns with the European Green Deal and aims to support the transition to clean steel production technologies.

A Bright Future for Innovation

These projects reflect CRM Group’s ongoing commitment to advancing steelmaking technologies and promoting sustainability. As we move forward, we look forward to sharing the progress and innovations that will emerge from each of these groundbreaking initiatives.

On June 5th, the University of Namur hosted the official launch of the BatFactory project portfolio, a flagship initiative aimed at driving Wallonia’s leadership in sustainable battery technologies. This ambitious project focuses on developing high-performance materials for energy storage batteries through eco-friendly, intelligent, and circular processes, crucial for the future of energy transition.

With €11.4 million in funding from the Walloon Recovery Plan, BatFactory brings together academic and industrial expertise, involving partners such as UNamur, UMONS, ULiège, UCLouvain, ULB, Materia Nova, CRM Group, and CENAERO, supported by the MecaTech cluster. The project also aligns with the Walloon Region’s goal to position itself as a major player in the rapidly growing battery sector.

Minister Willy Borsus, who spoke at the event, emphasized that the demand for battery storage—and the materials needed to manufacture them—will rise significantly in the coming years. He highlighted the importance of BatFactory as a key starting point for the BatteryWal initiative, aiming to establish a complete battery production value chain in Wallonia by 2030. This network will support energy communities, sustainable housing, and e-mobility, positioning Wallonia at the forefront of this critical sector.

Professor Bao Lian Su, coordinator of the project, outlined the four key pillars of BatFactory: the production and functionalization of eco-responsible active materials, semi-industrial production of electrodes, semi-automated assembly and instrumentation, and battery pack production and management systems.

The event gathered over 100 attendees from academia and industry, marking a significant step forward for Wallonia in its journey to become a leader in battery innovation and sustainable energy solutions.

The CRM Group is proud to be onboard the successful maiden flight of Ariane 6 rocket. This landmark event, which took place at 16:00 local time (20:00 BST, 21:00 CEST) from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marks a new era in European space transportation, but also for the CRM Group!

In collaboration with Walopt, and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), the CRM Group has developed innovative thermal management systems to be flown on the Ariane 6 rocket. Using phase change material (PCM) technology, these advanced damping units are designed to store and release heat efficiently. This weight saving solution ensures the optimal performance and longevity of electronic components.

About the PCM Damping Units

The development process involved rigorous studies on the selection of the phase change material and manufacturing solutions, but also testing and qualification of critical properties such as burst pressure or even long term cycling and radiation resistance. The resulting units are now a ready-to-integrate solution for satellites and launchers such as ESA's YPSAT.

We can also say that these PCM damping units involved extensive research and rigorous testing. Key aspects of the development process included:

• Material Selection: Careful studies were conducted to identify the most suitable phase change materials, which are crucial for the efficient thermal management of space-bound electronics.
• Manufacturing Solutions: Advanced manufacturing techniques were employed to create the damping units, ensuring high precision and reliability.
• Testing and Qualification: The units underwent thorough testing to validate critical properties such as burst pressure, long-term cycling durability, and resistance to radiation. These tests confirmed the robustness and effectiveness of the PCM technology under the harsh conditions of space.

The resulting units are now ready-to-integrate solutions, enhancing the robustness and reliability of ESA's YPSAT and other satellite and launcher systems.

Ariane 6: Europe’s Flagship Rocket

Ariane 6 is set to become Europe’s flagship rocket, providing increased payload capacity and flexibility compared to its predecessor, Ariane 5. This inaugural flight is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the European space industry and its dedication to advancing space exploration and satellite deployment capabilities.

Conclusion

We are proud to see our technology contribute to the success of the Ariane 6 mission. This achievement represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to diversify our activities and develop innovative solutions for the aerospace industry.

We'll be back very soon with an article dedicated to our PCM units! 

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) poses a significant challenge in materials science, particularly in industries where structural integrity is paramount. Understanding the susceptibility of materials to SCC is crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of engineering components. In this text, we delve into the technical aspects of SCC testing, its purpose, and the insights it provides into material behavior under corrosive environments and tensile stress.

Our SCC testing system comprises two sets of three rings, capable of withstanding a maximum load of 50.000 Newton. Each ring is equipped with a load cell to accurately measure the applied load during testing. The system is adaptable for use with both prismatic and cylindrical samples, and conforms to the testing standards outlined in ECSS 37c (Determination of the susceptibility of metals to stress-corrosion cracking), equivalent to ASTM G44 (Standard Practice for Exposure of Metals and Alloys by Alternate Immersion in Neutral 3.5 % Sodium Chloride Solution).  It is primarily for tests of aluminum alloys and ferrous alloys, but may be used for other metals exhibiting susceptibility to chloride ions at ambient temperature.

The primary objective of the SCC system is to assess the sensitivity of materials to the combined effects of tensile stress and corrosive media. Samples undergo immersion and drying cycles over a 30-day period, simulating real-exposure conditions. Subsequently, tensile testing and microstructure analysis are conducted to evaluate the material's propensity for SCC. Unlike hydraulic systems, our SCC setup continuously monitors and adjusts the applied load during testing, ensuring precise and controlled conditions. Moreover, the system's versatility allows for the development of customized tooling to accommodate different sample shapes and assemblies.

Signs of SCC manifestation include sample rupture, deterioration of mechanical properties, or the presence of specific microstructural defects post-testing. These observations provide valuable insights into the performance of materials under stress-corrosive environments, aiding in the identification of potential vulnerabilities and informing materials selection and design decisions.

For other materials or corrosive environments, CRM can also offer tailor-made systems based on ASTM G38 (Standard Practice for Making and Using C-Ring Stress-Corrosion Test Specimens) or ASTM G39 (Standard Practice for Preparation and Use of Bent-Beam Stress-Corrosion Test Specimens).