Cases

Atom Probe Tomography for advanced materials studies in 3D

Quantitative nano-information is nowadays required for the understanding of various mechanisms occurring in steel manufacturing. Atom Probe Tomography (APT) is the only material analysis technique offering extensive capabilities for both…

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Quickly harvest the value from data

Technologies such as artificial intelligence are advancing at high speed. However, access to consolidated, quality data remains a challenge.

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Data analysis identifies product issue

A customer experienced a complex quality issue on their final product. Traditional methods failed to identify the cause of the problem.

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Predicting mechanical properties from microstructure images

OCAS is developing methodologies to allow machines to analyse images from microstructures, based on artificial intelligence principles. The objective of this work is to improve our understanding of the relationship…

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Artificial intelligence seminar brings together academic researchers and industrial experts

OCAS organised the “Artificial Intelligence for advanced image processing and analysis in new product development” seminar on Friday February 1st 2019 in its labs at Zwijnaarde (Belgium), attracting 60+ participants…

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To measure is to know

To measure is to know, is a key principle of risk management. OCAS has a longstanding tradition in measuring potentially hazardous compounds.

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Hexavalent chromium-free alternative for hard chrome plating within REACH

Back in 2012, driven by the need for REACH* compliant alternatives, OCAS initiated a project on hexavalent chromium-free hard chrome plating. (*REACH: European regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction…

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Green enamelling solutions

Vitreous enamelling has been acknowledged for centuries as one of the most durable ways to protect metals against abrasion, temperature and corrosion. In recent years, driven by ever-stricter environmental legislation,…

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Pro-actively adapt formulations without compromising performance

The essential role of chemical passivations and thin organic coatings is to provide corrosion protection during handling, transport and storage of metallic coated products. The combination of environmental constraints with…

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Food contact compliant materials

To be considered compliant for food contact, materials must meet requirements. Currently, standardization bodies are working on a standard for porcelain (vitreous) enamel. OCAS was invited to participate in the…

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Preventing ovalisation during reeling

Reeled pipelines are submitted to cyclic deformation during reeling and unreeling operations. To assess the risk of ovalisation of the pipe after reeling and unreeling, OCAS investigated the behaviour of…

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Simulation tools – key to achieving the target first time right

As speed is essential in many additive manufacturing related business cases, going through iterative product design cycles isn’t compatible. Simulation tools can provide key differentiators to enable the target first…

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Early detection of weldability issues in pipe material

OCAS proposes a method for early detection of weldability issues based on metallurgical investigation of the pipe material behaviour, simulations and stress corrosion cracking tests. Thus avoiding problems during the…

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You never walk alone

Although additive manufacturing undoubtedly already has and will continue to require breakthrough technology developments, it also requires a substantial change in the ecosystem approach. Collaboration isn’t an option, it has…

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Building on strong foundations

With multiple arc welding power sources and robots available, OCAS is moving ahead.

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Design your additive manufacturing feedstock

A truly unique combination of facilities to successfully develop new alloys for your additive manufacturing is available at OCAS.

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Exploring complex multi-component systems for our customers

Thanks to our unique combination of lab metal processing equipment and advanced characterisation methods, OCAS can offer its metallurgical expertise also during the development of complex multi-component systems.

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Successful synthesis of high melting point elements/alloys

Especially in the field of refractory alloys (including Nb and Mo), OCAS gathered metallurgical know-how through experimental testing programmes using arc melting over the past years.

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Your one-stop shop for alloy synthesis & processing

OCAS has access to an extended range of lab equipment to synthesize customised alloys in small batches. Unique metal alloys can be processed from liquid phase, over rolling down to…

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Wear seminar brings together academic researchers and industrial experts

OCAS organised the “Abrasion resistant steels: modelling and experimental challenges” wear seminar at OCAS on Friday June 15th 2018 in its labs at Zwijnaarde (Belgium), attracting 50+ participants representing 10…

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Instrumented DCB testing now available

Double cantilever beam (DCB) testing is one of the NACE SSC tests, with the advantage that it provides a quantitative value and not just a “pass or fail” statement. OCAS…

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Linking NACE test results to H-pick up and permeation in the presence of H2S

To understand the effect of sour conditions on the embrittlement phenomena during NACE testing, permeation measurements in H2S environment have been installed and validated at OCAS. Now that the methodology…

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Using deuterium to assess hydrogen trapping

Using deuterium as hydrogen tracer is a powerful technique for assessing hydrogen pick-up during industrial processes. It provides OCAS with key knowledge on the hydrogen absorption behaviour and how to avoid…

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Indispensable micro-analytical instruments for metal alloy development

State-of-the art scanning transmission electron microscopy  (STEM) is an advanced characterization tool dedicated to analyse sample morphology, structure and chemical composition with the capability of atomic resolution imaging and chemical…

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Increase coating lifetime by optimising pipe surface preparation

Coatings or adhesive bonded systems are used in different environments, for various applications. All have been designed and developed for a specific lifetime. As such, adhesion is a critical link.

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