INSTITUTO TECNOLGICO DE ARAGN

General presentation of R+D activity

Presentation of R+D activity in Materials

Confidential. Not to be distributed without prior written approval by ITA

1. Instituto Tecnolgico de Aragn. Objetives

ITA (Instituto Tecnolgico de Aragn) is a non-profit
Technology Centre whose main objective is to promote
competitiveness in the industrial sector and to support the
growth of business sectors by means of the development,
acquisition, adaptation, transfer and diffusion of innovative
technologies in a multi-agent collaborative framework.
The specific objectives are the following:
services, technological consultancy and technical services

Provide industry with research and technological development

emerging sectors

Identify and meet the innovation needs of both developed and

Upgrade the technical skills of workers as well as their
specialization in new technologies
Cooperate with other agents of the Innovation System
international programmes of technological innovation

Promote the participation of SMEs in both national and

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1. Instituto Tecnolgico de Aragn. Figures 2008

73

7%

25

7%

45

72

31

8%

32

7%

54%

Doctors
Intermediate technicians

92

21%

28

40

19%

19%

36

Otros

20%

Superior technicians
Assistance staf f

Staff qualification. Year 2008

Technological centre founded in 1985

Facilities with more than 15.000 m2

213 employees with more than 180 qualified technicians

> 1100 customers / year

Personnel indicators

5%

52

33

ITA customers 2008. Classification by activity sectors

(according to turnover)

74

1%1%
2%1%

4%

35

2%
2%
2%
2%
3%

3%

3%

21

3%

3%

75

51

Confidential. Not to be distributed without prior written approval by ITA

34

1. Instituto Tecnolgico de Aragn. Figures 2008

Activity sectors

29

SIC
29- Machinery and mechanical equipment industry
34- Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
75- Public Administration, defence and social security
21- Manufacture of paper
35- Manufacture of transport equipment
74- Other business activities
52- Retail trade, except motor vehicles, repairing
25- Manufacture of rubber products and plastics
73- Research and Development
45- Building sector
33- Manufacture of medical-surgical precision instruments and equipment
72- Information Technology
31- Manufacture of electric machinery and equipment
32- Manufacture of electronic material; radio, TV and communications
28- Manufacture of metallic products, except machinery and equipment
40- Production and distribution of electric energy, gas and vapour
36- Production of furniture, other manufacturing industries

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Activity
University / Tech. centres
ITA
Industry

Basic
research
Applied research

Research and Technology Lines

Materials
New Design Technologies
Production, Logistics and Intelligent Systems

Sectorisation
Machinery and mechanical equipment
Automotive
IT

Technological
development

Technical
services

Transfer Mechanisms

Day to day

R+D under contract

Technological Services and Technical Assistance
Promotion of R+D+i
Dissemination and Training

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Research and technology lines:

Line 1. Materials

disp.
disp.

Test

25-doble onda-pegado ext-int-e4-video

25-onda doble-pegado-ext-int-e1-video

Simulacin

Simulation

Sub-line 1C. Joint technologies

and surface treatments

Sub-line 1A. Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life

prediction and failure modes for materials under working conditions

Sub-line 1B. Development of

knowledge-based new
materials with high functional
properties

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Research and technology lines:

Line 2. New design Technologies

Product

160

140

120

80

100

60

40

20

0
0

1600

In p u t fo r c e ( N)

800

S im u la tio n
E xp e rim e n ta l

400

1200

Pneumatics
C D = f (P , x )

Functional
behaviour
2000

2400

System prototyping

Sub-line 2C. Mechatronics

Rapid prototyping
of control

Control
simulation
and design

Integration

Infrared thermography

Non-linear mechanics

Fr = f ( x )

Sub-line 2A. Analysis and simulation of systems and components

P = C l V + C S V

Hydraulics
Cortesa de TRW

Sub-line 2B. Functional security

Semianechoic chamber

Confidential. Not to be distributed without prior written approval by ITA

Sub-line 3C. Intelligent systems

Supply chain analysis

Simulation of logistical platforms

Simulation of automobile manufacturing site

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Forecasting

Sub-line 3A. Systems integration for production

Sub-line 3B. Production engineering and logistics

Research and technology lines:

Line 3. Production, logistics and Information Tech.

6 D.O.F.
shaking table

Output pressure (bar)

Research and technology lines:

Line 3. Materials

Specialisation sub-lines :
 Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life
prediction and failure modes for materials under working conditions
 Development of knowledge-based new materials with high functional
properties
 Joining technologies and surface engineering

Support centres (organisational structure for human resources and equipment):

 Centre for Computational Simulation
 Materials Laboratory
Horizontal research line, developing projects and providing technical services to many different
industrial sectors, but with long time experience in mechanical systems (including automotive and
elevator).
Material types:
Rubber, engineering plastics, composites, metals, paper and paperboard.
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Research and technology line in Materials:

Double shear

Simple shear

Example of fibre orientation analysis in SFRTP

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and

failure modes for materials under working conditions
Advanced material characterisation
 Chemical and physical characterisation
 Mechanical characterisation for development of new material
models
 Testing for obtaining numerical parameters for material models
 Fatigue testing, including biaxial systems and thermal monitoring

Compression

 Linking of micro-macro relationships between material parameters

Tensile

Example of specific rigs for rubber testing

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Research and technology line in Materials:

Example of integration of
process-product simulation
in SFRTP







Fatigue life prediction

Multi-scale techniques
Development of failure criteria

Visco-elasticity
Micro-mechanics-based macro
models

Non-linear behaviour

Example of application of rubber model

Development of material models

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and

failure modes for materials under working conditions

Example of development of
composite model for
corrugated paperboard

Confidential. Not to be distributed without prior written approval by ITA

Research and technology line in Materials:

U (mm)

PANEL 6
Panel
A
PANEL B
8
Panel
PANEL C
9
Panel
PANEL D
10
Panel
SIMULACIN
Simulation

10

Laminate model

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and

failure modes for materials under working conditions
Example: FE model for simulating paperboard
Laminate material model:

 Equivalent continuous material model for fluting, using

layered thick shells or alternative element types for
layered composites
 Material model with failure criteria for liners (unified
combination of strength criteria and local buckling)

Validation of thick shell composite model for in-plane compressive

load through test-rig for corrugated panels compression (specific
support conditions for limiting global buckling)
1000

800

P (N)

600

400

200

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Research and technology line in Materials:

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and
failure modes for materials under working conditions

BCT
Maximum load
prediction

FCT
FCT failure
progression

Continuum
shells

Thick
shells

Example: FE model for simulating paperboard

Bottom sag analysis

Layered continuum shell offers better
stiffness prediction than conventional
shells when transverse shear becomes
significant: thick double flute boards and
short bending spans
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Research and technology line in Materials:

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and
failure modes for materials under working conditions

m
s

20 cm

Grammage
(gr/m2)

Fiber orientation
distribution
(TSI polar diagram)

FEM model

Fiber network model

2D network
geometry

Collapsability
index (0-1)

Fibre wall
thickness (
m)

Efibra (N/mm2)
=0.3

Example :Prediction of mechanical properties of papers using FE-based multiscale modelling

=
s

(
m)

Fiber width

Fiber length
(mm)
Coarseness
(gr/mm)

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Research and technology line in Materials:

Peel test (adhesives)

Shear test (adhesives)

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and

failure modes for materials under working conditions

Short beam test

Design, simulation and testing of composite parts and structures

Mechanical testing
- Static tests (tension, compression, shear,
bending, etc.)
- Dynamic tests (fatigue)
- Creep
- Accelerated ageing

Physical/chemical testing
- DSC, FTIR, TGA, etc.

Other tests
- Hardness Shore-D
- Pot life (adhesives, resins, etc.)
- Measures of reactions exothermic peaks
- Fiber volume content determination
- Joints testing

Samples fabrication for testing

Tensile test (static/dynamic)

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Research and technology line in Materials:

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and
failure modes for materials under working conditions

GFRP skins
Composite panel
(sandwich configuration)

Design and analysis of composite parts

(example: ROPS test over an hybrid truck
cabin metal-composite)

Design, simulation and testing of composite parts and structures

FEM simulations (material or part level)

CORE

No-lineal FE material models

(example: torsion test - epoxy
resin characterization)

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Research and technology line in Materials:

SEM image (x60)

Light micrograph unetched

condition (x400)

Example: Analysis of spring failure

with mechanical fatigue due to
material inclusions and folds
because of manufacturing process

Example: Biaxial fatigue test

and numerical analysis

 Determination of material fatigue limit: axial, torsional and multiaxial stress-states.

 Crack-growth monitoring and analysis

 Identification of failure origin: design concept, manufacturing process, service life,

maintenance, etc.

 Identification of failure modes through combination of different techniques:

chemical and mechanical material testing, micro and macro photography,
fractography (SEM), surface analysis (FTIR and X-ray), etc.

Failure analysis and material fatigue

Advanced characterisation and modelling of functional behaviour, life prediction and

failure modes for materials under working conditions
Example: Analysis of
crack-growth monitoring
Specimen axis

macro image

SEM image (x3300)

General macrograph

Test

disp.
disp.

Simulation

Simulacin
25-onda doble-pegado-ext-int-e1-video

25-doble onda-pegado ext-int-e4-video

Example of inspection of weld joint

Confidential. Not to be distributed without prior written approval by ITA

Research and technology line in Materials:

Joining technologies and surface engineering
Joining technologies
 Welding inspection and quality assessment
 Research on laser-based new welding methods
 Characterisation and modelling of adhesives

 Development of numerical models for mechanical fastener:

bolts, rivets,

Example of modelling of adhesive

joints (hot-melt) in corrugated paper
Example of characterisation of adhesive
board, considering delamination of
joint in composites considering different
liner papers and adhesive failure
curing process for the adhesive
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Research and technology line in Materials:

Joining technologies and surface engineering

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1,4

1,6

1,8

Friction coefficient
(stick-slip conditions)
1,2

0 .35

0 .3

0 .2

0 .25

0 .1

C
O
0 .15
F

0 .05

SIN TR ATAR

SCS U

La se r tr ea tm ent

BAA SEL

E-UN E

Example of different wear and friction

results from application of laser-based
surfaces treatments

Example of wear characterisation

using pin-on-disk configuration

 Development of numerical models for tribological analysis considering

surface characteristics of contacting bodies
 Laser treatments for surface modification

 Tribological testing: friction and wear

 Surface characterisation

Surface engineering

0,4
0,3
0,2

0,1

-0,1
-0,2
-0,3
-0,4

= ( p)

Example of inspection of FEM-based data

reduction of tribometer data for determining
friction coefficient rubber-metal

0,7
0,6
0,5
0,4
0,3
0,2
0,1
0

Friction
Coef
Friccion
coefficient

Up to 450 kg / 6 g / 80 Hz
Random or time replication with 6 DOF simultaneously

Stacked packaging dynamic analysis

20

35

40

0.21 m/s2
1.59 m/s2
3.25 m/s2
Sim 0.21
Sim 1.59
Sim 3.25

45

50

Natural frequencies and mode shapes under realistic loads.

15

25
30
Frequency (Hz)

Resonance monitoring to predict damage

5
0

10

Discrete Element Modelling

40
35
30
25
20
15
10

-5
-10
-15
5

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dB

6 DOF multiaxial shaker table

Example: 6 DOF transport vibrations recording and reproduction

Transport vibration studies for accelerated laboratory testing

Research and technology line in Materials/New Design Technologies:

Example of High-Speed acquisition data

Different surface treatments
Contact pressure
under unstable conditions
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time (sec)

A VER AGE COF

Research and technology line in Materials:

Synthesis of nanoparticles and

polymer modifications through external
collaboration and commercial products

 Preparation of material samples through moulding

 Development of experimental procedures for combined
measurement of multifunctional properties

 Development of mixing-strategies of different nanoparticles in

thermoplastic matrices, using vertical extruder and mixing
chamber.

Development of knowledge-based new materials with high functional properties

Nanocomposites preparation and characterisation

Processing

 Final characterisation of developed nanocomposites (in

cooperation with INA and ICB-CSIC in order to fully cover
characterisation techniques from nano to macro scale)
 Processing capabilities including extrusion systems,
internal kneaders, injection moulding and vacuum
assisted moulding.

Characterisation

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Research and technology line in Materials:

process

Nanoparticle
modification

NANOCOMPOSITES

Development of knowledge-based new materials with high functional properties

POLYMERIC MATRIX

Nanocomposites preparation and characterisation

NANOPARTICLES

Current activity:
thermoplastics and
TPEs
KRATON, PCL, PE,
PP, PA, PS, ...

Polymer
modification
Previous
dispersion
Melt mixing
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Research and technology line in Materials:

Development of knowledge-based new materials with high functional properties

Good interaction between matrix and MWCNT

2,4

2,6

2,8

3,2

Improvement of hardness properties

Uneven spatial distribution of MWCNTs in the

matrix, with good dispersion in extensive areas

2,2

3,4

3,6

3,8

1,0E+13
1,0E+12
1,0E+11
1,0E+10
1,0E+09
1,0E+08
1,0E+07
1,0E+06
1,0E+05
0

% MWNTs

Improvement of
electrical conductivity

Example: direct melt mixing of MWCNT in KRATON matrix (project in cooperation with ICB-CSIC)

77

77,5

76,5
76
75,5
75

74

74,5
2

(% ) MWNTs

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Possible future applications:

 Magnetic shielding.
 Electronics and sensors.

Maintenance of typical properties of polymer: flexibility, viscoleasticity,

injectability...

Magnetic answer to low magnetic field with only 1-2%wt of nanoparticles.

Development of knowledge-based new materials with high functional properties

Example result: preparation of magnetic composite (project in cooperation with INA)

Research and technology line in Materials:

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Resistencia elctrica ( )

 TEM Images of Kraton matrix wit 3% of MWCNT

Hardness Shore A

Research and technology line in Materials:

Support centres

Centre for Computational Simulation:

 22 people: 6 PhD, 13 researchers/technicians and 3 research
scholars
 4 large severs for intensive computation, 2 of them with 32 Gb
RAM and 8 CPUs each, plus a series of medium size servers
for the simulations with standard requirements
 CAD-dedicated workstations for pre and post-processing

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Research and technology line in Materials:

Support centres

Materials laboratory:
 12 people: 4 PhD, 6 researchers/technicians
and 2 research scholars
 Mechanical lab
 Chemical lab
 Electrical lab

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Mechanical tests: material level

EQUIPMENT

INSTRON Dynamic Machine up to 25kN of load, 100Hz,

with Dynamic Extensometer and Climatic Chamber in
the range of 70C to 250C.
INSTRON Biaxial Dynamic Machine up to 100kN of load,
MTS Static Machine (high displacement for plastic and

750Nm of torque, 50Hz and Biaxial Extensometer.

CAPABILITIES

Dynamic and fatigue tests

Dynamic and fatigue tests

Material Characterization tests on materials at

ZWICK Static Machine up to 5kN of load, with optical

range of 70C to 250C.

different temperatures: tensile test, compression test,

Material Characterization tests on materials at

bending, ...).

rubbers) up to 100kN of load and Climatic Chamber in the different temperatures: tensile test, compression test,

extensometer and Climatic Chamber in the range of

bending, ...).

Material visco-elastic Properties

Static tests

90C to 270C.
High Load Capacity Static Machines up to 200 kN and
1000 kN of load , and 25 Hz of frequency.
DMA Metravib 450+: up to 450N dinamic mode, 300N
static mode, 1000Hz; 0.001-3mm displacement

points in specimens and components.

Temperature test and determination of the hottest

Test monotirization and crack growth fatigue test.

CAPABILITIES

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Mechanical tests: component level

EQUIPMENT

High Speed Camera (up to 1000 image per second,

resolution 1280 x 1024 pxeles (1024 record images),
monochromatic, memory of 1.28 GB)
Infrarred Thermography Camera in the temperature
range of: [-20 to 100 C], [0 to 250C] and [120 to
INSTRON Testing Bench of 3x4m dimensions with

900C], accurate of + 2 C)

Tool

Axial
Actuator

Static, Dynamic, Fatigue and Funtional Tests.

portico-tool and three lineal actuators (up to 25 and 50 kN Static, Dynamic, Fatigue and Funtional Tests.
of load) and a rotary actuator (up to 400Nm of torque)
SERVOSIS Testing Bench of 1.5x2m dimensions with

Rotary
Actuator

Component

portico-tool and three lineal actuators (up to 50 y 100 kN

of load).

Tool

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EQUIPMENT

Mechanical tests: surface characterisation and ageing

PLINT 77 Tribometer

CAPABILITIES

Material Tribological Characterization

Surface Finish and Contour

Rugosimeter / perfilometer Talysurf i120 (1mm vertical

range / 16nm resolution / 120mm horizontal traverse /
Measurement

Horizontal Exposure area of 3000cm2

Analysis

Climatic resistance and Corrosion

Climatic resistance Analysis

Thermal shock resistance Analysis

0.50um / 120mm straightness error / 0.125um horizontal

data spacing / 450mm motorized column)
Thermal Shock Chamber (from -80C to 220C)
Climatic Chamber (from -70C to 180C / -25C to 150C
(UV rays) / -40C to150C / 20C to 350 C)
Corrosion Alternating Chamber (Salt Fog alternating with
temperature (-20C to 50C) and humidity (0-100%); 1000 l.
of volume)
Climatic chamber for Xenon test

Chemical characterization of
cast and iron
Elemental determination of
metals. Direct analysis without
sample preparation
Qualitative analysis
Thermal characterization of
materials
Max temperature: 1000C
Microstrutural Materials
characterization
Characterizacion of coatings

Elemental determination of
metals

CAPABILITIES

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Chemical characterisation

EQUIPMENT

Atomic emision spectometer by inductively

coupled plasma ICP with solid state detector
and spark
Analyzer of Carbon and Sulfur
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption
Spectometer with Zeeman corrector and solid
autosampler,
Fourier Infrared Spectometer (FTIR)
Diferential scaning calorimeter (DSC), power
compesation and heat flux
Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA)
Inverted microscopes, 1000x, mechanical
stage, DIC
FRX for coating thikness, hardness...

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Electrical characterization and flame reaction

EQUIPMENT

CAPABILITIES

Megohmmeter
Transversal and longitudinal
electrical resistance measurement
DC Power supply
Transversal and longitudinal
electrical resistance measurement
Oscilloscope. Current probes. Passive probes.
Transversal and longitudinal
electrical resistance measurement
Spectrum Analyzer / EMI Test Receiver
Examine the spectral composition
of some electrical waveform
Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)
Measures both amplitude and
phase properties
Bulk Current Injection probe
Examine the spectral composition
of some electrical waveform
(10 KHz-400 MHz) and current probe (20 Hz400 MHz)
Glow wired flammability equipment (GWFI).
Glow wired characterization
Glow wired Ignitability temperature (GWIT)
Longitudinal electrical resistance tester
Longitudinal electrical resistance
tester
Bunsen Burner for horizontal and vertical flames Material characterization when
they are exposed to small flames
Range 30MHz-1.5GHz
Equipment for measuring the electromagnetic
shielding

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ITA contacts for R&D in Materials:

Miguel A. Jimnez
majimenez@ita.es
Joaqun Gmez
jgomez@ita.es

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