Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy (VTT)

Description of the legal entity

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT), is a state owned and controlled non-profit limited liability company established by law. Act on the Limited Liability Company Called VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (8761/2014) lays down provisions on the operations and status of VTT (this Act enters into force 1st of January 2015 and supersedes the Act on the Technical Research Centre of Finland 953/2010 and all amendments subsequently made to it). The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for state ownership steering.

As an impartial non-profit Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and with the national mandate and mission to support economic competitiveness, societal development and innovation, VTT carries out research and innovation activities for the needs of industry and knowledge-based society. In 2018, VTT’s net turnover was 159,7 million € and other operational incomes were 81,2 million €, with highly educated personnel of 2054. VTT receives approximately one third of its total income directly from the Finnish government. This allows VTT to carry out the high-risk strategic research and to invest in research and technology infrastructures, which are necessary to generate the knowledge and know-how required for fulfilling VTT’s public mandate.

To contribute to EU goals for 2020 and beyond VTT works in synergy with the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy, with regional innovation networks throughout Finland and with numerous European platforms and partnerships. Within Horizon 2020, VTT aims at renewal of European industrial value chains increasing EU competitiveness while strengthening dynamic ecosystems and addressing Societal Challenges.

VTT is organized around three main areas: Knowledge intensive products and services, Smart industry and energy systems, and Solutions for natural resources and environment. However, all VTT activities are characterised by genuine trans-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches and the daily project work is planned and implemented within multi-year, coordinated programmes.

VTT has a long and vast experience in EU projects under different funding programmes and other frameworks (also PPPs, EITs, EIPs, etc.). On average, the share of industry partners was 48% in those consortia where VTT was engaged in FP7. In 2018, VTT was involved in 403 EU-funded research projects (278 within H2020). Ranked among the leading European RTOs, VTT is committed to responsible collaboration for achieving the Europe 2020 goals by networking with Finnish and European actors in the global context.

In December 2017, VTT has been recognised with the “HR Excellence in Research” award by the European Commission as one of the first RTOs. The award reflects VTT’s commitment to continuously improve its own human resource and leadership policies in line with the 40 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, notably VTT’s commitment to achieve fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Profile of staff members involved

Mr Pentti Arffman (male): MSc in Physics from the University of Helsinki. Working at VTT in Nuclear Safety since 2018. Prior to that, a year studying non-irradiated materials at VTT. Current position: Research scientist.
Mr Petteri Lappalainen (male): B. Sc. in Mechanical engineering, M.Sc. in Applied Physics. About 10 years of experience at specimen fabrication, testing and analysing of RPV surveillance program and investigating neutron irradiation effects on structural materials and in particular, reactor pressure vessel material embrittlement. Present position: Research scientist
Mrs Laura Sirkiä (female): MSc (Tech), Research Scientist, working in structural integrity-team in nuclear safety area at VTT since 2012, knowledge in mechanical engineering, fracture mechanics and experimental research.

Relevant publications, and/or products, services

Yamamoto, M., Onizawa, K., Yoshimoto, K., Ogawa, T., Mabuchi, Y., Valo, M., ... Soneda, N. (2015). International Round Robin Test on Master Curve Reference Temperature Evaluation Utilizing Miniature C(T) Specimen. In Small Specimen Test Techniques: 6th Volume (pp. 53-69). (Selected Technical Papers; Vol. 1576). American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP157620140020
K. Wallin, M. Yamamoto, U. Ehrnstén, Location of Initiation Sites in Fracture Toughness Testing Specimens: The Effect of Size and Side Grooves, in: ASME, 2016: p. V01BT01A011. doi:10.1115/PVP2016-63078.
Valo, M., Planman, T., & Wallin, K. (2015). Rotation Point and KJC Estimations for Miniature CT-Specimens Based on Off-Load Line Displacement. In Small Specimen Test Techniques: 6th Volume (pp. 110-120). (Selected Technical Papers; Vol. 1576). American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP157620140010

Relevant previous projects or activities

CRIEPI Mini-CT Master Curve Round-Robin Tests: A round robin organized by CRIEPI to determine Master Curve with Mini-CT specimens.
LOST (long term operational aspects of structural integrity): A national (SAFIR) project.
BRUTE (Barsebäck RPV material used for true evaluation of embrittlement) (ongoing)

Significant infrastructure and/or any major items of technical equipment

VTT has new facilities for research of nuclear materials, the Centre for Nuclear Safety (CNS is a department of VTT). The following equipment are stationed inside the cells:

EDM specimen fabrication: GFAgieCharmilles CUT200
Laser engraving machine Technifor F20
Dimensional measurement system OGP CNC Flash 200 MS
MTS 100kN universal testing machine(pre-fatiguing and testing)
Zwick Z250 universal testing machine(testing)
Displacement measurement clips are available for both front-face and load line setups.
Fractography with a camera system designed specifically for this purpose.