The SIgMA consortium, coordinated by LNCMI, is funded by ANR during 54 months. It is composed of one industrial partner, I-Cube Research/Bmax and four academic laboratories CNRS-LNCMI, UP-Pprime, UT-CIRIMAT, UBFC-ICB-LERMPS. Each partner provides complementary expertise in different areas: CIRIMAT and LERMPS in powder metallurgy process (powder synthesis, consolidation by Spark Plasma Sintering, consolidation by cold-spray); LNCMI in severe plastic deformation process, macroscopic characterization in static conditions and magnet testing in DC and pulsed configuration; Pprime in fine microstructural and micromechanical characterization; I-Cube Research/Bmax in high stress and high strain rate environments influence on metallic materials and industrial magnet testing.
The SIgMA project aims at designing and preparing composite nanostructured copper/silver conductors with high electrical conductivity (> 90% IACS) and high mechanical strength (> 1 GPa). The approach relies on the composite and nanostructuration effects with the unique combination of powder metallurgy process (cold spray, spark plasma sintering) and severe plastic deformation (wire-drawing). Many materials and process parameters, to be identified, are critical to tailor the micro and nanoscale design that will ultimately permit to obtain the required properties. Properties/microstructure/interface relationships is established. Ageing behavior and lifetime under extreme conditions (severe mechanical constraints and high strain rate) is investigated. Conductors are prepared as a demonstrator for magnetoforming tools as well as for high magnetic fields (> 100 Tesla). In addition, SIgMA will establish a strong public/private partnership with a possible transfer of technology.
Contact : Florence Lecouturier-Dupouy, S. Tardieu
