Study of the Mechanical Behaviour of a Very High Hardness Alloy over a wide range of strain rates

Context

Testing a highly brittle alloy with a very high hardness at extremely high strain rates poses several major challenges.

On the one hand, the rapidity of fracture complicates the acquisition of reliable measurements, as there is very little time to record data without artefacts. Consequently, non-contact metrology techniques are mostly employed (digital image correlation, heterodyne velocimetry, etc.).

On the other hand, classic dynamic characterisation setups, such as Hopkinson bars, must be adapted to prevent premature fracture of the sample, ensure correct stress transmission, and protect the test apparatus from damage. Therefore, new types of tests must be developed to meet these specific requirements.

Moreover, the fragile nature of the alloy makes preparing homogeneous test specimens and achieving repeatable tests difficult, as any microscopic defect can trigger premature failure. Localisation of deformation (crack formation or shear band development) also hinders the attainment of homogeneous stress fields. This necessitates coupling experiments with post-mortem characterisation techniques (e.g. scanning electron microscopy and CT tomography) and numerical simulations that replicate the tests in order to correctly interpret the results.

Within the framework of the Chocodyn Federation (https://chocodyn.cnrs.fr), of which ISL is an active member, this PhD project aims to investigate the mechanical behaviour of a very high hardness alloy over a very wide range of strain rates through experimental characterisation, appropriate modelling, and the detailed description of the mechanisms involved in an impact. To this end, the work will address the following points:

1. Literature review on experimental methods for characterising the behaviour and fracture of ultra-hard materials over a broad range of strain rates, and on the associated constitutive models
2. Dynamic mechanical and fracture characterisation of the material of interest, including the development of specific mechanical tests. This study will benefit from the outstanding facilities of the partner laboratories of the Chocodyn Federation
3. Modelling of the behaviour and selection of suitable numerical methods for simulating a ballistic impact
4. Impact simulation and validation against experimental data

The French‐German Research Institute of Saint‐Louis (ISL) situated in the border triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland is an internationally renowned research institute belonging to a global industrial and economic network.

At ISL, we conduct fundamental and applied research at a world-class level in the field of pulsed power and its applications. In our community, pulsed power refers to the generation and application of electrical power pulses in the gigawatt (GW) range and beyond. Such extreme power levels, though rare in civilian engineering, are essential for technologies like inertial confinement fusion.
Our work focuses on energy conversion—from direct current (DC) to high-power, short-duration pulses (milliseconds) used in electromagnetic acceleration. This involves cutting-edge research on high-voltage and high-power topologies, including their critical components such as switches and energy storage systems. Each element presents unique challenges in terms of size, efficiency, and performance optimization. In Europe, our facilities are one-of-a-kind.

What we offer

• Contract duration: 3 years
• Working language: English (French and/or German appreciated, language courses and casual multi-lingual coffee meetings available)
• A PhD project within a dynamic and international collaborative environment
• Access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities
• Competitive salary

Localization

The PhD work will be performed mainly at ISL (Saint-Louis, France), with occasional visits to the partner laboratories.

Candidate profile

• An outstanding engineering or academic candidate with an excellent academic record
• Master’s degree (M2) in Materials Mechanics or Materials Science (mechanical specialization). Strong skills in numerical simulation, finite element methods, and a keen interest in experimental work are essential
• Very good writing skills and proficiency in English
• Strong integration, communication, and organisational abilities; scientific curiosity and dynamism