Thèse CIFRE - Additive H/F

C-TEC IS RECRUITING

PhD Offer (CIFRE) 

Constellium is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high value-added aluminum products and solutions for a wide range of markets and applications, focusing in particular on aerospace, automotive and packaging. Our Research and Technology Center, C-TEC Constellium Technology Center employs about 240 people, mainly dedicated to research in the fields of casting, aluminum transformation and surface treatment. We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations and improving the environmental footprint of aluminum throughout the value chain.

Thesis subject : Creep resistance of new Al alloys designed for Additive Manufacturing

Context : Due to the lack of aluminum alloys capable of maintaining adequate properties at temperatures ≥ 200°C, engineers often select ferrous or Ti alloys leading to over-quality at the expense of lightweighting. Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in developing novel Al alloys for high temperature applications by leveraging the extreme cooling rates (~106 °C/s) achievable in additive manufacturing (AM), particularly in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Constellium C-TEC has been involved in the development of new alloys for LPBF for nearly 10 years and new creep-resistant compositions have recently been developed. Preliminary creep tests carried out to evaluate the performances of one of these new alloys have shown promising creep properties. However, the mechanisms controlling the creep rate of this new alloy are not yet understood, and the damage mechanisms governing the creep life have not yet been investigated.

Objective : The overarching aim of this PhD is to characterize the creep performance of a new aluminum alloy designed for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and to develop a fundamental understanding of the deformation mechanisms that govern its creep rate as well as the damage mechanisms that control its creep life.

Methods : The as-printed microstructure will be investigated in depth in order to characterize the intermetallic population (nature, size, morphology, spatial distribution) and the supersaturated solid solution resulting from the out-of-equilibrium processing conditions of LPBF. The ageing response of this new alloy will be studied using advanced techniques such as atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). High temperature tensile tests and different creep tests (single load, stress-jumps, temperature-jumps) will also be conducted to characterize its high temperature mechanical properties. The deformed microstructures will be examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM,) TEM, and X-ray computed microtomography (XCT) to clarify the deformation and damage mechanisms.

We are looking for a highly-motivated individual with a Master’s degree or Engineering degree in materials science. Strong aptitude for experimental work is highly appreciated, and any experience with additive manufacturing processes can be valuable.

• Starting date : October / November 2026
• Duration : 3 years
• Host laboratories : SIMaP (80 - 90%) and Constellium C-TEC (10 - 20% with possible adjustment during the different stages of the thesis)