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In high-temperature industrial processes, refractory ceramics face repeated thermal cycling that often leads to cracking and mechanical failure. The THEFRAMIC project—short for “THErmal shock resistance of reFRActory ceramics, MICrostructure design and MICromechanical behaviour”—aims to address this critical challenge by combining cutting-edge experimental methodologies with advanced numerical simulations.
Funded under a major French-Austrian academic-industry partnership, THEFRAMIC’s multidisciplinary consortium brings together leading laboratories and global industry players to design innovative ceramic microstructures and develop predictive digital models for real-world application.
Research Objectives
The central aim of THEFRAMIC is to design, model, and validate refractory ceramics with enhanced thermal shock resistance by focusing on the following core goals:
Decipher the damage and fracture mechanisms under severe thermo-mechanical loads.
Optimize ceramic microstructures to delay crack initiation and growth.
Develop digital twin models using advanced image-based simulation techniques.
Apply micromechanics and AI to predict multi-scale behavior under service conditions.
Transfer findings to industrial partners in sectors such as aerospace, metallurgy, and energy.
Consortium and Collaboration
THEFRAMIC is led by Dr. Nicolas Tessier-Doyen at Université de Limoges – IRCER and features a robust international partnership that includes:
Academic Institutions
IRCER (Institut de Recherche sur les Céramiques) – Limoges, France
PPRIME Institute – Poitiers, France
I2M Laboratory (Institut de Mécanique et d’Ingénierie) – Bordeaux, France
Montanuniversität Leoben – Austria
Industrial Stakeholders
SAFRAN Ceramics
Saint-Gobain
IMERYS
RHI Magnesita
And other European ceramic leaders
This collaborative structure ensures academic excellence, experimental rigor, and direct industrial applicability, with research outputs tailored to real-world thermal shock environments.
Scientific Approach and Methodology
THEFRAMIC combines experimental mechanics, 3D imaging, digital material design, and multi-physics simulations. Two primary PhD projects will drive this research:
PhD 1 – Experimental Characterization and Imaging
Location: PPRIME & IRCER (Poitiers and Limoges, France)
Focus: Use in situ mechanical testing under high-temperature gradients, X-ray tomography, and microscopy to analyze crack propagation and stress evolution in refractory microstructures.
PhD 2 – Digital Twin Development and Numerical Modeling
Location: I2M (Bordeaux, France) & Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
Focus: Construct digital twins of ceramic materials using voxel-based models, FEM/DEM simulation, and AI-enhanced micromechanical analysis to forecast behavior under thermal shock.
Both positions involve international co-supervision, mobility, and close collaboration with industry, providing students with a multidisciplinary training ground and real-world impact.
PhD Applicant Profile
Candidates for these positions should possess:
A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Solid Mechanics, or Applied Physics.
Proficiency in experimental methods, numerical simulation, or image processing.
Strong communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
A willingness to engage in international mobility and cross-sectoral research.
Industrial Impact and Long-Term Vision
The digital twins and microstructural innovations developed within THEFRAMIC are not limited to academic inquiry. They are expected to revolutionize how industries:
Select and design ceramic components,
Predict lifespan under repeated thermal cycles, and
Reduce failure rates in critical high-temperature operations.
By providing microstructure-performance correlations and data-driven digital simulations, the project supports faster innovation cycles, cost-effective material selection, and sustainable industrial performance.
Conclusion
The THEFRAMIC project represents a landmark initiative in the field of ceramic engineering. It bridges fundamental science with industrial application, offering a pioneering approach to solving one of the most persistent challenges in high-temperature material design: thermal shock resistance.
With its blend of experimental insight, computational modeling, and multi-sectoral collaboration, THEFRAMIC sets a new standard for research in advanced ceramics and provides exceptional opportunities for PhD candidates to shape the future of materials engineering.
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