• Preparation of future product developments for automotive applications
• Development, capitalisation, diffusion and use of metallurgical knowledge through models

This research program is responding to the continuous technological challenges from car makers. Here are some examples:

• Low density very high strength steels: a direct answer to weight reduction, without the necessity of thickness reduction - example: steel alloying with light elements (Al or Si)

• Ultra fine-grain steels:  produced with new thermomechanical treatments or adapted chemical compositions

• New ductile steels with ultra high strength - obtained by a specific alloy and microstructure design

• Steel-based composites - to improve the young modulus and the density of steel at the same time, as both properties are key in structure dimensioning

• Developing and capitalising on metallurgical knowledge
• Putting this knowledge at the disposal of the plants and R&D teams through models integrated in a user-friendly software

• Experimental simulation of thermomechanical processes (hot rolling and annealing, welding etc.)
• Fine characterisation of the microstructure (Electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, metallography)
• Theoretical bases in metallurgy applied to product development and modelling (phase transformation, precipitation, mechanical properties, damage resistance etc.)