Projects / Programmes
Surface physics and chemistry of metallic materials
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.02 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
Metallic materials |
| 2.09.06 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
Characterisation of electronic components and materials |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T150 |
Technological sciences |
Material technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.10 |
Engineering and Technology |
Nano-technology |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
Researchers (27)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research program P2-0132 SURFACE PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF METALLIC MATERIALS is a continuation of fundamental and applied research on chemical reactions and physical properties of surfaces and interfaces of metallic materials, and is highly relevant for Slovenian science and industry. It contains three fields: (1) Surface structuring and functionalization; (2) Correlation between processes in solid alloys and phases and interphases and their physical-chemical properties; (3) Surface engineering and applications to Slovenian tool industry.
Research program has its main focus on chemical reactions and physical properties of surfaces and interfaces. Interest in physical structure and chemical composition of the surfaces and interfaces and their subsequent functionalization are basis to all three listed fields. Research is mainly focused on metallic materials of iron based alloys, steels, nonferrous alloys such as, aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, magnesium and intermetallic phase alloys. An essential target of the investigations is an improved understanding of the complex physical processes and chemical reactions of these materials. In addition, new high-performance materials and surfaces with outstanding physical and mechanical properties are developed for use in high-tech structural and functional components. In this way, basic research is closely linked to innovative developments relevant to applications and process technology in Slovenia and Europe.
The research program group is also involved in applied research for Slovene industry (i.e. steelworks, energetic, microelectronics, electro-optical industry, biomedical devices, etc.). The group co-creates postgraduate education study at the Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School with the course “Advanced Metallic Materials”. The group has extended international collaboration (among them: The university of Sao Carlos (Brasil), University of Leuven-KUL Belgium, UC Berkeley USA, National South University in Bahia Blanca Argentina, Montan University Leoben, University of Genoa, Italy, Max-Planck Institut fuer Eisenforschung, Duesseldorf, Nemčija etc.
Significance for science
The basic research on surfaces and boundary surfaces and the functionalization of the surfaces of metallic materials are to explain some physical and chemical aspects which are crucial for the processes such as recrystallization, oxidation, corrosion, formation of nano and microstructures, and micro textures. They all have the crucial influence on mechanical and physical properties of metallic materials.
Innovative modifications of the metallic material surfaces, alloys with shape memory, and alloys having the super elasticity will enable to develop the innovative applications on the field of bio-medical appliances. The modified surfaces will prevent biofouling in sea and fresh water as well as for heat exchangers. Special emphasis will be given to the self-cleaning surfaces enabling a new approach to the cooling of micro devices as well as of a large scale constructions. The research of coherent, semi-coherent and non-coherent steel precipitates for steels used at the nuclear and thermo energetic devices will enable to form the model that will determine the resistance of materials on creep and deformation and therefore to determine the remaining lifetime of the used mechanical components.
The extreme importance is given to the three dimensional modelling of microstructure for which the large database of experimental data is needed. The EBSD technique will be used to gather the data on the microstructure materials. The observation of transformation processes on the material surfaces using different techniques will be studied. The three dimensional microstructure modelling will be developed mainly using the 3D EBSD methods.
The research of nanostructured bainitic steels will enable the development of high strength steels used for the automotive industry.
On the field of the surface engineering using the heat treatment and the deposition of HSLA coatings on the steels with the diffusion interlayer formed by the PACVD technique the new theoretical findings regarding the nanomaterial and composite materials will be enabled. We aim for the better understanding of the correlation between the diffusion of alloy elements of the composite material, the diffusion of Nitrogen and the emergence of nitrides.
Significance for the country
The proposed research program has a very significant impact on the technical development of Republic Slovenia. The knowledge and also the engineering of processes on the metallic material grain boundaries as well as the functionalization of surfaces enabling us to manufacture the advanced metallic materials having the targeted and programmed properties.
We expect that the research and finally its application will lead to the spin-off companies founded by our doc and post-doc students who are being educated within the program group under the mentorship of our established researchers. The main role of the spin-off companies will be to produce products using the appropriate nanotechnologies for various applications.
The examples of such spin-off praxis have been observed at the University KU Leuven, Belgium. They have proved that such approach provides a large demand on the employment providing high added value and is especially suited to employ young researchers. We want to use such a model eventually to improve the economic situation in Slovenia. At the same time such approach enables the knowledge transfer which has the additional economic multiplicative effects.
The results of other research fields and their application to the Slovenian steel and aluminium making industry as well as into the tool making and energy production facilities will raise the added values and open the new demands to employ the highly skilled and educated people.
The Slovenian tool making industry will significantly benefit through the improved technologies of vacuum heat treatment providing the tool products with better multilayer hard coatings. The plasma PACVD technology will also enable the longer life times for tools with the surface treated materials. One of the aims is also to develop the large scale hard coatings to use at large tools, which poses a significant technological challenge.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
