• Advanced magnesium alloys.
• Biodegradable magnesium materials.
• Biomaterials based on magnesium powder.
• Surface modification and coatings.
• In-vitro degradation of magnesium materials.
• Electrochemical characteristics.

• Corrosion of magnesium alloys influenced by methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria in an anaerobic environment
• Processing of photovoltaic panels focused on the recovery of rare metals and silicon
• Innovation voucher – thermal spray surface samples (CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_358/0027926)
• Additional projects

• Preparation and corrosion behavior of MgAl-LDH layers on magnesium compacts prepared by powder metallurgy
• Enhancing the structure and corrosion and thermal properties of MgAl-LDH layers on powder metallurgy Mg substrates using EDTA
• The importance of ammonium and potassium ions under hydrothermal preparation conditions on the structure and corrosion properties of CaP coatings
• Influence of laser remelting on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of HVOF-sprayed Fe-based coatings on magnesium alloy
• Characterization of Prepared Superhydrophobic Surfaces on AZ31 and AZ91 Alloys Etched with ZnCl2 and SnCl2
• The effect of heat treatment on properties of Ni-P coatings deposited on a AZ91 magnesium alloy
• Mechanical and structural properties of bulk magnesium materials prepared via spark plasma sintering
• Characterization of electroless Ni-P coating prepared on a wrought ZE10 magnesium alloy
• Additional publications

1) Industrial Cooperation – Contract Applied Research

• Evaluation of degradation/corrosion of metallic and non-metallic materials and identification of corrosion damage causes.
• Assessment of the quality and corrosion resistance of surface treatments.
• Evaluation of contamination and component quality for the electrical industry.
• Chemical treatment and activation of metal surfaces for coatings and surface finishing.
• Determination of causes of component failure.
• Evaluation of basic mechanical properties including tensile characteristics and hardness.
• Comprehensive imaging and structural analysis with verification of dimensions in micro and nano scales.

2) Applied Research for Innovation. Examples of Completed Applied Research Projects

• Participation in research and development of thermal spray coatings focused on process optimization, quality improvement, property evaluation, and expanding applications for renovation and repair of highly stressed components in the energy, Oil & Gas, engineering, and railway sectors.
• Research into recycling photovoltaic panels with a focus on efficient recovery of metals and silicon for further industrial use.
• Research and development of anti-corrosion packaging papers to improve protection of metallic materials during storage and transport.
• Analysis of corrosion degradation causes in razor blades and development of methods to improve their corrosion resistance and service life.
• Design of a sixth-stage cleaning process – contamination analysis in condensate from waste incineration flue gases.

3) Laboratory Activities – Standardized Testing. Examples of Analyses and Tests

• Structural and chemical analysis of inorganic and organic materials.
• Determination of corrosion characteristics using electrochemical, immersion, and atmospheric corrosion tests.
• Quantitative image analysis.
• Fractographic analysis.
• Phase analysis of metallic and non-metallic materials.
• Evaluation of mechanical characteristics of metallic materials.
• Evaluation of coating adhesion/cohesion.

Consultations

• Call or write to us and we will arrange a personal meeting. It is the most suitable and fastest way to find a solution for your matter.

• METALS AND THEIR ALLOYS
• CORROSION OF METALS AND ALLOYS
• MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION
• ANTI-CORROSION PROTECTION AND CORROSION INHIBITORS
• BASICS OF CHEMISTRY
• PRACTICAL SEMINARS

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Electron microscopes combine excellent resolution with a large depth of field and, when connected with X-ray detectors, can determine elemental composition at selected locations.

JEOL JSM-7600F, Schottky cathode, SE, in-lens SE and BSE detector; EDS, WDS and EBSD analysis, resolution 1 nm (15 kV), magnification ~25 to 1,000,000×, accelerating voltage 100 V to 30 kV, X-Y 140×80 mm, WD 1.5 to 25 mm

ZEISS EVO LS 10, tungsten filament, SE, BSE and EPSE detector, EDS analysis, resolution 3 nm (15 kV), magnification ~25 to 30,000×, accelerating voltage 3 kV to 30 kV, X-Y 100×100 mm, WD 1 to 35 mm, environmental mode (humidity 0 to 100%, water vapor pressure up to 3000 Pa), correlative microscopy

LIGHT MICROSCOPY AND HARDNESS TESTING

High-quality metallographic light microscopes are ideal tools for revealing the microstructure of materials. If mechanical properties also need to be measured, a microhardness tester is available.

Axio Observer Z1M, objectives 2.5 to 100×, magnification ~25 to 2,500×, reflected and transmitted light, automatic focusing, bright and dark field, polarized light, correlative microscopy

AMH55 Series, LM 248AT Indentor Vickers, Knoop, load 5 to 2000 g, objectives 10 to 100×, automatic hardness and microhardness measurement, panoramic image, image analysis and hardness mapping

CORROSION AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY

A corrosion chamber is available for standard neutral salt spray (NSS) corrosion resistance testing. If corrosion resistance needs to be tested under dynamically changing conditions (temperature, humidity, condensation), a climate chamber is the optimal choice. For determining corrosion resistance in almost any environment, a potentiostat can be used to evaluate both the base metal and any surface treatments.

LIEBISCH SKB 400 A-TR, cyclic and automatic environment preparation, neutral salt spray, condensation atmosphere of pure water vapor, creation of customized conditions, chamber volume 400 l, internal dimensions X-Y 920×590 mm, temperature up to 50 °C, humidity up to 100%

Binder MKFT 240, temperature range -70 to 180 °C, humidity range 10–98%, internal dimensions 735×700×443 mm, heating rate 5 °C/min, cooling rate 4.2 °C/min

Bio-Logic VSP-300, evaluation of electrochemical characteristics, potentiodynamic measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, current range 1 A to 10 nA, 1 µA to 1 pA, frequency range 10 µHz to 7 MHz, measurement accuracy 1 µV, 760 fA, 76 aA, variable temperature and environmental conditions

MATERIALLOGRAPHY

The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of instruments for cutting (dry and wet), mounting (cold and hot), grinding, and polishing of metallographic specimens.

Discotom-6, automatic and manual cutting, automatic cutting speed reduction, disc diameter 250 mm, thickness 1.5 mm, table size X-Y 225×400 mm

Secotom-50, automatic cutting with speed reduction, speed range 300 to 5,000 rpm, disc diameter 200 mm, thickness 0.8 mm, table size X-Y 185×260 mm

CitoPress-10, automatic specimen mounting, specimen diameters 30 and 50 mm, mounting pressure 50 to 350 bar, mounting temperature 80 to 180 °C

Tegramin-25, automatic grinding and polishing of specimens, disc diameter 250 mm, applied force 5 to 50 N/specimen, speed 40 to 600 rpm

JEOL IB-19500, ion polishing of specimens, specimen size 11×10×2 mm, beam voltage 0.5–6 kV, ion beam diameter 500 μm, sputtering rate 500 μm/h

LectroPol-5, automatic polishing and etching of specimens, parameter scanning function, output voltage 3 V to 30 V, temperature range -50 to +200 °C