The activities of the research unit on the behaviour of in-service materials focuses on studying the mechanisms of degradation and failure of components subjected to mechanical action efforts and/or chemical agents during their service: analysis of the phenomena of fracture, fatigue, creep and wear.

This unit supports and develops technological research projects in collaboration with companies with the aim of studying the actions that need to be undertaken to ensure the integrity and durability in-service of components and structures, for what will be necessary to analyze product design and select the most suitable materials and processing technologies.

The work of this research unit at the European level has focused on active participation in CECA consortiums, with the development of projects which results have direct application on the automotive industry.

Application

- Fatigue characterization (high and low number of cycles, loading blocks and variable load), fracture mechanics (linear and elasto-plastic) and determination of growth rates for fatigue cracks.
- Mechanical testing made-to-measure of components and structures in static or dynamic conditions.
- Studies of the relationship between the behaviour of in-service materials and their complete manufacturing process (microstructure).
- Analysis of in-service failures on components and equipment.