34
LISI 2012
INNOVATION
LISI
AUTOMOTIVE
Dynamism applied to materials
and products
Characterization of the ordinary grades of steel
The optimization of the normal nuances of cold forging
with a view to innovative heat treatments is continuing.
For products which are hot-forged, the research is dealing
with the grades of steel which allow to obtain the final
characteristics directly in the heat of the forge, with no
subsequent heat treatments. The use of steels with very
high mechanical strength is still restricted by the risk of
hydrogen fragilization (FPH). It is however essential for
the downsizing of engines and weight reduction in the
chassis.
Conscious of these challenges, LISI AUTOMOTIVE has
for several years taken the initiative of starting private
or collaborative projects on FPH. The most recent study,
organized by the CETIM, resulted in an innovative method
which enables, for the first time, the determination with
precision of the fragility threshold of a steel. On this basis,
a vast program for the characterization of the ordinary
nuances of steels will be launched in 2013. It brings
together French and Canadian researchers as well as
manufacturers.
Research into new anticorrosion coatings:
This research is driven by the restrictions on the use of
chemical products, resulting in particular from the REACH
regulations. The ultimate purpose of the IZAC project for
example is to substitute a “clean” electrolytic coating for
zinc-nickel. The work is being carried out in particular at
the UTINAM Institute (University of Franche-Comté) and
should be completed in 2013. These hitherto unseen
solutions may thus enter into the industrial development
and qualification phase.
Dealing with random loosening of fasteners
Although themajority of screwed assembly work is carried
out properly, one still sees cases of random loosening. LISI
AUTOMOTIVE is a partner on a thesis launched in 2012
on the subject, which associates a rigorous experimen-
tal program and the digital modeling of the phenomena
observed. The expected results are an improvement in
methods of calculation and the proposal of efficient
solutions to avoid random loosening of screwed assem-
blies.
Long-fiber thermoplastic composite materials
Their use is increasingly envisaged in the automotive
industry. Since the materials and the assembly configura-
tions are completely different from those in the aeronau-
tical industry, the transfer of experience is limited. To
ensure its technological monitoring in this area and to
seize market opportunities, LISI AUTOMOTIVE is collabo-
rating on several projects initiated by its customers, with
industrial objectives.
Characterization of short-fiber plastic materials and
composites
A vast program of development is in progress. In 2012,
efforts were concentrated on the development of a test
protocol reduced to the minimum, but which provided
complete information of the materials in all configura-
tions of temperature, hygrometry and stresses encounte-
red in vehicles.
