HEXCEL, one of the world's leading manufacturers of advanced composites, and Mines St-Etienne School of Engineering (France) have launched a new industrial academic chair.

The chair will carry out research into the digital modeling and simulation of resin vacuum infusion process in primary structures for the aerospace industry, and more specifically modeling on multi-scale (from microns to meters) and the multi-physical (solid, fluid and porous media mechanics, physical chemistry of polymers, thermal physics).

Hexcel decided to involve Mines St Etienne in its research program in order to enhance theoretical knowledge of the vacuum infusion process and help users to understand the process, so as to make appropriate evaluations for the manufacture of their structural components.

The chair is sponsored by Hexcel customers, including Airbus and Safran Composites.