Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACHIEF consortium has joined forces to achieve the main objectives established during the first period. Initial steps to start the project were to characterise (e.g. temperatures, chemical environment, etc) and define the specifications of the different industrial uses cases where the novel materials will be integrated in the last stage.
In parallel, based on the existing materials database, the consortium created the artificial intelligence aided toolbox that generated data of candidate materials to answer to the different challenges that the industrial use cases will bring. The working method followed was the same for the three categories of material. First enrich the database based on literature, then train the models and validate the method of selection using "stallions" materials. Then it has been possible to generate 3D materials simulations to predict theorically materials behviour under the use case environment conditions. For PDC the model development is decided to focus on refractory alloy coating. Individual phases found in the coating has been produced and their chemistry and hardness has been characterized. Characterization data is used to build atomistic simulation workflow to numerically estimate the thermal, elastic and eventually cohesive and adhesive properties, and microstructural model to estimate the effect of imperfections (like pores) in the PDC coating. For HESA the microstructural basic models for both produced types of alloys has been made. The evaluation of characterization data implementation of certain features is still underway. For Cr-steel the incorporation the effect of the precipitates is still underway.
In addition, it was developed: PDC coatings, HESAs models and Cr-steels candidates at lab scale to be fully characterised afterwards. On the same line, the industrial use case conditions were also reproduced at lab scale in order to test the novel materials in this representative environment with the aim of evaluating their performance. Results at labsacle are convincing. The two initial candidates were more challenging than expected due to manufacturability aspects. Considering this aspect, a third alloy is under development to answer use case specifications.
The current challenge is now to define the industral process to produce and apply materials and coating at larger scale and on bigger sufaces, that add edge constraints. The upscale of the deposition process involved a additional research and process development work.
Finally, the consortium has also worked on designing sensors to have the most precise evaluation of the materials behaviors and evolution over time based on the environment where they will be located. The high temperature of industrial environements require a robust system monting. The close collaboration between industrials and sensor producer helps to face this technical challenge. ACHIEF results and progress were published on the project and partners’ website as well as social media account. More than 2,100 people visited the website and the ACHIEF social media accounts (LinkedIn and Twitter) reached more 166 followers (20k impressions generated). The consortium has released 4 publications and participated in 12 events. Furthermore, during this period, three files have been uploaded on Zenodo. Finally, technology transfer activities started in M24 and two activities have been met so far: training plan and mid-term workshop.
