METMAT

Main Goals of the Project

The METMAT project aims to develop an in-depth understanding of material physics through the study of the relationship between microscopic structure and macroscopic properties. The approach is based on the development of theoretical models of the physical behavior of materials, their numerical implementation, and experimental validation. The main objectives include: improving the predictive capability of traditional materials under extreme temperature and mechanical stress conditions; developing multiscale methodologies for the analysis of fracture and damage in composite and ceramic materials; designing new materials with advanced properties enabled by additive manufacturing technologies that allow microstructural control across multiple length scales. The project also seeks to overcome the reductive view of materials as mere engineering coefficients by promoting a physical understanding of the mechanisms governing their behavior, from the microscale (0.1–100 μm) up to the structural component scale.

CIRA Activities in the Project

CIRA conducts research activities through its Innovative Materials and Thermostructures laboratory (MITS), focusing on three main areas: the development of advanced theoretical models, the implementation of innovative numerical methods, and experimental validation. In this context, CIRA has developed novel material models and original codes based on automatic differentiation and finite element methods for multiscale fracture analysis, with particular emphasis on phase-field approaches to describe damage initiation and propagation. Special attention is given to microstructured materials, such as ceramic matrix composites and biomaterials like nacre, studied through three-dimensional micromechanical models that correlate microstructure and macroscopic mechanical response, enabling more reliable predictions of performance under critical operating conditions.

General Project Information

Funding Programme: PRORA, comma 2

Start Date: 01/01/2015 ; End Date:31/12/2027

CIRA Contact: Andrea Vigliotti, a.vigliotti@cira.it