SIRA Industrial Chair

Intergranular Segregation and Fracture Properties of Low-Alloy Steels

The SIRA industrial chair is part of Mines Saint-Étienne’s research dynamic to address the challenges of sustainability and safety of nuclear facilities. Led by the SMS center, it brings together academic and industrial partners around a common objective: to better understand the material aging phenomena used in pressurized water reactors.

This chair started in January 2025, for a period of 4 years.

Objectives of the Chair

  • To study intergranular segregation in low-alloy steels.
  • To characterize the impact of this segregation on fracture properties.
  • To propose models and methods to predict the aging of metallic components in the primary circuit of power plants.
  • To support the extension of the lifespan of existing reactors in compliance with safety standards.

Research & Training Themes

The chair’s activities are organized around two major scientific axes:

  • The understanding and modeling of intergranular segregation phenomena in low-alloy steels, to evaluate their impact on long-term mechanical behavior.
  • The development of advanced methodologies for the quantitative characterization of these segregations, particularly via electron microscopy techniques (STEM-EDX).

The training aspect is highly integrated into the project, including:

  • Three CIFRE theses in partnership with the chair’s industrial partners.
  • 116 person-months of postdoctoral research mobilized to support research and transfer activities.

This initiative contributes to strengthening scientific expertise on critical materials for nuclear applications.

Partners and Collaborations

It is funded with 2.3 million euros by the French National Research Agency (ANR), Framatome, and EDF. ​

Projects and Achievements

  • Development of STEM-EDX analysis protocols to quantify segregation.
  • Case studies on in-service vessel components.
  • Modeling of brittle fracture mechanisms induced by intergranular defects.
  • Scientific publications, conference presentations, and inter-laboratory collaborations.

Benefits for Students and Industry

  • For Students
    Immersion in an applied research project, access to cutting-edge tools, direct link with industrial challenges, supervision by experienced researchers.
  • For Industry
    Knowledge transfer, skill development, anticipation of regulatory changes, strengthening of facility safety.

Scientific Director

Innovation