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Cecilie Duhamel

Professor

Center · CMAT

Keywords

Awards & distinctions

  • 2023 Charles Eichner Medal - SF2M

Team

GEM - Genèse, Évolution des Microstructures

Biography

Cecilie Duhamel is a researcher specializing in the study of the degradation mechanisms of metallic materials in extreme environments, particularly in the context of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Her work focuses primarily on stress-corrosion cracking (SCC), intergranular oxidation, and the interactions between microstructural defects, mechanical stresses, and the chemical environment. Her expertise includes the analysis of nickel-based alloys (Alloy 600, Alloy 82) and austenitic stainless steels, as well as the impact of irradiation and thermomechanical treatments on their durability. His research combines advanced experimental approaches (electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, digital image correlation) with numerical modeling to quantify local phenomena, such as chromium diffusion or the evolution of stress fields at grain boundaries. His contributions aim to improve our understanding of the physical mechanisms underlying environment-assisted cracking, with direct applications to the safety of nuclear facilities.

Publication(s)

Teaching

Electrochemistry/Corrosion

Course Director

Corrosion and Structural Durability

Course Director

If we consider the various modes of material degradation, we quickly arrive at the following observation: a material in use will eventually need to be replaced, either due to mechanical failure, corrosion, or the combined effect of both of these phenomena. The cost of corrosion and its consequences amounts to nearly 4% of GDP. Despite the significant financial stakes, these phenomena are rarely studied in France and are seldom taught in engineering schools. Therefore, there is a clear need to raise awareness of corrosion issues among future general engineers. In fact, it is not currently possible to provide a unified framework that would reliably solve any corrosion problem, particularly with regard to localized corrosion and high-temperature oxidation. However, understanding the fundamental mechanisms of corrosion and becoming familiar with quantitative methods for studying these phenomena provide a necessary guiding principle to avoid getting bogged down in the near-total reliance on empirical judgment that so often governs material selection by users. The course—and the subsequent assessment of student knowledge—is therefore focused on: Knowledge of the small number of fundamental laws that underpin the understanding of corrosion phenomena. Knowledge of the analytical methods used to characterize the phenomenon. The ability, when faced with a given corrosion problem, to derive from these laws and experimental data a valid interpretation of the phenomenon—which may include quantifying the risk involved or, where appropriate, proposing a means of protection. Knowledge of the typical behavior of major classes of metallic materials with respect to different modes of corrosion. Syllabus Electrochemical corrosion by aqueous solutions. Applications and examples (generalized corrosion, localized corrosion, passivable metals, etc.). Oxidation of metals and alloys by high-temperature gases (dry corrosion). Applications and examples (steels, chromium-forming alloys, etc.). Basics of protecting metals against dry and aqueous corrosion (electrochemical protection, coatings, inhibitors). Organization The course consists of 4 sessions of 3 hours each (excluding the exam). Three sessions are divided equally between aqueous corrosion and high-temperature oxidation. To illustrate the course material, the final session is devoted to an industrial case study conducted in groups.

Materials Design for New Challenges (Course)

Lecturer

Monday, September 14 Tuesday, September 15 Wednesday, September 16 Thursday, September 17 Friday, September 18 9:00–10:30 9:00–10:00 Introductory Seminar (Renault) 10:00–10:30 a.m. Weekly Schedule (J. Crepin and J.L. Bouvard) Synthesis and Processing of Materials (polymers, glasses, metals, ceramics) -Continued- (V. Esin) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Material Forming (C. Moussa) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Process-Induced Microstructure (S. Dépinoy) Life Cycle Assessment (M. Douziech) 10:45–12:15 The Material at the Heart of the Structure to Achieve Target Properties (A.F. Gourgues) Life Cycle Assessment -Continued- (M. Douziech) 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Synthesis and processing of materials (polymers, glasses, metals, ceramics) (V. Esin) Accessibility Resources (J. Osterbaan) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Controlling Material Behavior (V. Esin) Surface Functionalization (M.H. Berger) Service Life of Materials and Structures (J.L. Bouvard) 3:30–5:00 p.m. Strategies for numerical material modeling (H. Proudhon and J.L. Bouvard) Environmental effects (C. Duhamel)

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) track

Guest Lecturer

The Second Year: Discover, Observe, Experiment The two-week elective period is devoted to a mini-project in pairs, in one of the School’s two laboratories (the Materials Center in Evry or the Materials Processing Center in Sophia-Antipolis, with more than 70 faculty members supporting the elective). The topics revolve around a specific industrial project. The focus is on discovering physical, chemical, and mechanical phenomena—and on quantifying them. A detailed report and an oral presentation allow students not only to develop communication skills but, above all, to learn from one another. Some topics include: investigation of a railway brake failure, investigation of non-conformity in metal seals, welding (instrumented testing and numerical modeling), study of the mechanisms behind foam formation for automotive seats, aerogel formation for super-insulation or biomedical applications... The 3rd Year: Understanding, Making Choices, Optimizing The two highlights of the third year are the elective month (beginning at the start of the academic year) and the personal project, which takes up the rest of the time allocated to the elective. The elective month: “Materials and Engineers” in a specific industrial sector. The elective month is devoted to materials engineering and focuses on a specific industrial sector (2004 and 2005: the automotive industry; 2006 and 2007: aerospace; 2008 and 2009: construction; 2010 and 2011: energy; 2012 and 2013: healthcare; 2014 and 2015: aerospace). The wide range of activities fosters hands-on learning and helps build a cohesive group, enriched by the diverse backgrounds and personalities of both students and teachers: industrial tours: the development, processing, and use of materials in the chosen field; a few lectures given by industry experts; “Industrial Discovery” mini-projects: 5 days in groups of 2 to 4 students at an industrial site, supervised by on-site engineers, working on an engineering problem; a written report (for internal company use) and an oral presentation allow the different groups to share the knowledge and experiences gained in the field; a few “classes”—which are actually preparatory sessions for the visits and “debriefing” sessions in the form of Q&A sessions with faculty regarding the lectures and industrial visits. The elective project: applying methods and knowledge to solve an industrial problem. These individual elective projects form the backbone of the third year. Defined as early as October, in accordance with each student’s preferences, they focus on a clearly identified industrial problem. Lasting at least 4 months (a total of 8 months for Polytech students in the “specialized track”), they take place at an industrial site under dual supervision: engineers from the company on one hand, and a faculty researcher from one of the School’s two “Materials” laboratories on the other. The emphasis is on understanding the underlying phenomena and solving the practical problem at hand. Some representative elective topics covered in recent years: selection of a material for a Formula 1 racing car component (Renault, Viry-Châtillon); modeling of thin films deposited on glass (Saint-Gobain, Thourotte); selection and sizing of a shock-absorbing foam (SNCF, Le Mans); feasibility of coating pistons via plasma spraying (Toyota, Evry—Belgium – Japan); an innovative steel continuous casting process (Vallourec, Aulnoye-Aymeries / Brazil); optimization of the fiber-reinforced polymer injection molding process (Bosch, Germany); analysis of medieval gilded enameled glass (Laboratoire des Musées de France, Paris); prediction of fracture properties of steels for gas pipelines (ArcelorMittal, Ghent, Belgium). acceptance criteria for forging defects (PSA, La Garenne-Colombes); painting defects on automotive plastic body parts (Mécaplast, Monaco) welding of superalloy parts for space launch vehicles (Snecma, Vernon) improvement of non-destructive testing of power plant components (EDF, Saint-Denis) decontamination of concrete used in civil engineering for nuclear power plants (Bouygues, St-Quentin / CEA, Marcoule) Improving the manufacturing of composite parts for the aerospace industry (Dassault, Argenteuil) Material selection for endoscopic probes with integrated microscopes (Mauna Kea Technologies, Paris) Key features of the track: Hands-on experience! The track includes very few courses in the traditional sense: knowledge and skills are acquired through courses offered to all students (core curriculum, specialized courses) and, above all, by sharing each student’s real-world experiences. It’s about experimenting on your own and as part of a team (with dual mentoring by an industrial engineer and a faculty researcher). Intensive group work The diversity and number of students in the track allow everyone to learn from and with one another. This provides effective training in self-directed learning methods that engineers will use throughout their careers to remain key players in their fields of expertise and take control of their professional development. Interdisciplinary Approach The field of materials lies at the intersection of disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mechanics, applied mathematics, and numerical modeling. Elective projects often include both an experimental component and a modeling component, providing a well-rounded education in materials science. The track covers ceramics, “plastics,” metals, and alloys, as well as ancient artifacts (archaeology) and the latest innovations (“biological” steels, bio-based and non-bio-based aerogels, etc.).

Materials for New Challenges (Research Quarter)

Lecturer

PhD supervision

  • 2026 The effect of mechanical loading and strain path on the stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel in the primary circuit environment of PWRs GRAND Johanne
  • 2025 Evaluation of the effect of local plastic deformation in alloy A182 with a view to improving the prediction of stress corrosion cracking behavior in welded joints of the primary circuit of PWRs. VEDEL Adrien
  • 2025 Corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel in high-temperature water BOIFFIER Simon
  • 2024 Stress corrosion cracking of stainless steels in PWR primary environment: influence of chemical composition NOIREZ Maximilien
  • 2024 The effect of mechanical loading and deformation path on the stress corrosion cracking of an austenitic stainless steel in PWR primary environment WANG Alain
  • 2024 Stress corrosion cracking in the primary circuit of a pressurized water reactor of a stainless steel obtained by powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing MOLIERE Jane
  • 2023 Stress Corrosion Cracking of Cold-Worked Stainless Steel: Influence of Oxygen in Primary Circuit of PWRs FAYOLLE Charles
  • 2023 Understanding the microstructural evolution of the positive electrode and remediation pathways for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries PINOT Clémence
  • 2020 Oxidation and stress corrosion cracking of cold-worked stainless steel in the primary circuit of PWRs: effect of oxygen transients DE PAULA Thalita
  • 2020 Local model of intergranular stress corrosion cracking of nickel alloys exposed to confined zones of the secondary circuit of pressurized water reactors RINN Pierre
  • 2019 Effect of oxide inclusion presence on the prediction of stress corrosion cracking initiation in alloy 600 in PWR environment PEREZ Colette
  • 2016 Oxygen transients effect on oxidation and stress corrosion cracking of cold-worked 316L stainless steel in primary water of pressurized water reactors. MAISONNEUVE Marc
  • 2016 Experimental and numerical analysis of stress corrosion cracking initiation in pre-strained stainless steels HUANG Qi
  • 2016 Intergranular corrosion of austenitic stainless steels in oxidizing nitric acid environments EMERY Adrien
  • 2015 Study of hydrogen trapping in austenitic stainless steel in the context of irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking BACH Anne-Cécile