Projects / Programmes
Surface physics and chemistry of metallic materials
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
2.09.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
T450 |
Technological sciences |
Metal technology, metallurgy, metal products |
P250 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: structure, thermal and mechanical properties, crystallography, phase equilibria |
surfaces and interfaces, equilibrium and non-equilibrium segregation, ultra thin segregated and deposited films on the surfaces of transition metals, nanostructured surfaces, microstructure micro texture
carbide precipitation mechanism, structural brittleness of stainless steels,
surface engineering, metallurgical coatings,
material degradation, bio corrosion
microstructure and micro texture modelling
Researchers (20)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
In the research program ''Physics and chemistry of surfaces of metallic materials'' investigations of the atomic structure and chemical composition of surfaces as well as experimental investigations of properties of these materials are involved with the aim to establish the relation microstructure-composition-properties. In the program several investigation fields using similar methods of surface analysis are included. The program group is active in fundamental and applied research, and has an active RD cooperation with industrial and energy companies, such as steam power and nuclear power plants in Slovenia.
1 Engineering of interfaces and nanostructure include:
1) Model investigations of the segregation of impurities on the surface of FeSi single crystals;
2) Kinetics and thermodynamics of the equilibrium segregation of Cu, Cr, Sb, Se, Sn, and As on FeSi polycrystalline alloys and its influence on the magnetic properties;
3) Relaxation phenomena, surface reconstruction and micro-texture formation;
4) Theory of non equilibrium segregation on free surfaces of iron alloys;
5) Concept of the grain boundary engineering of iron alloys;
6) Grain boundaries structure, disorientation of grains in polycrystalline materials, microchemistry of free surfaces and formation of carbide precipitates on interfaces in CrMo steels. Modelling of the microstructure and effect of deformation on the kinetics and the composition of carbide precipitates.
7) Phosphorus segregations on grain boundaries in heat treatment steels. This segregation impairs strongly the properties of some steels;
8) Mechanism of the initial oxidation phase of In, Sn, and InSn ''in situ'' deposited on different substrates in the analytical vessel of the AE spectrometer; kinetics and thermodynamics of the dissociation of oxides formed on the liquid InSn alloy and effect of the substrate;
9) Surfaces and coatings of nanocrystalline powders for use in high frequency range;
10) Phase composition of intermetallic compounds in aluminium alloys;
11) Decarburisation mechanism of soft magnetic steels, kinetics and thermodynamics of the process by very low carbon content.
2 Correlation among processes in solids and on the surfaces and interfaces and the related mechanical and physical properties
(1) Structural brittleness of stainless NiFeMo alloys with a two phase microstructure. The aim to determine the kinetics of the spinodal decomposition in ferrite and it effect on the mechanical properties. Parallel, a method for the determination of the decomposition kinetics based on the change of coercitivity will be investigated;
(2) Mechanism of change of notch toughness transition temperature of welds of the fine grained steel Niomol 490 K used on advice of the institute for the construction of the Sermin vessel for liquefied gas;
(3) Mechanism of the increase of the transition temperature of structural steels after strain ageing;
(4) Change of temperature at the fracturing of Charpy notch specimens in transition temperature due to the dissipation of deformation energy as heat will be investigated with the aim to develop computer model for the deduction of the local increase of temperature and to establish the real fracturing temperature;
(5) Development of a modern hot rolling technology suited for the use on existing equipment in Slovenian steelworks.
3 Surface engineering topics, related to the manufacturing of tools for the Slovenian industry are investigated. The properties of vacuum heat treated tools and parts submitted to different types of wear are significantly improved with surface hardening. The research program in this field will consist of:
(1) Optimisation of the nitrided layer in the dependence of the application and the characterisation of it microstruture and mechanical as well as tribological properties;
(2) Optimisation of compound (two and more) coatings with nitride as a base substrate for hot working tools;
(3) Characterisa
Significance for science
Basic research of surfaces and interfaces of metallic materials and nanostructured materials already clarified some physico chemical phenomena, important for further processes such as recrystallization, oxidation, corrosion, formation of nano and micro structure which affected mechanical and physical properties of metallic materials Surface segregation of surface active elements S, P, C, Sb, Sn, Se on single crystals and polycrystalline materials induces the processes of surface relaxation and reconstruction and influence the material properties what is demonstrated in our investigations. Additionally the detailed studies are needed, the results will be forwarded to the world data bases. Advanced research methods such as FE-AES, HR-TEM, FE-SEM and EBSD enabled us to clarify the formation and kinetics of carbide precipitates and net precipitates formation on kinetics of secondary creep in steels for use in steam power plants. Several standards for quantitative FE-AES and XPS analysis of initial phase of oxidation of duplex steels are developed. The investigations of the processes in steels and alloys and their mechanical properties and ambient and increased temperature will especially increase the knowledge of metallic materials used for the construction of thermal and nuclear power plants. Of similar importance is for high strength structural steels, the knowledge of the real fracturing temperature at shock loading as well as the occurrence of local brittle zones in the heat affected zone that may diminish the safety of welds. Since the materials investigated are of worldwide use, the profit of the use of new knowledge is of worldwide importance, also.
Significance for the country
The research results and its application into Slovenian industry (steelmaking, production of aluminum, tool industry, etc.) and energetic contributed to the added value. , increasing number of working places and to the improvement of socio economic development of Slovenia as well as knowledge transfer to the western Balkan countries Research program is very important and relevant for Slovenia, grain boundary engineering enable the development of advanced metallic materials with tailored properties Results of the research on structural brittleness of iron alloys with Ni, Cr and Mo, and resistance of metal welds intended for use at the increased temperatures, are very important. They presented a reliable expert basis for the estimation regarding condition of metal substances in the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, in the thermal power plants as well as in economical replacement of parts, which could lower the reliability of production of energy.The Institute of Metals and Technology has suggested few years ago to use finegrained micro-alloyed steel Niomol 490K for reservoirs of oil derivates, located in Sermin, Koper.
Most important scientific results
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Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
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