Projects

Material and technological properties of construction materials in relation to their production method, processing and the effect of degradation mechanisms

SP2025/076

The project will address the following research topics: 1. Production processes and processing processes in relation to the resulting technological properties of structural materials; 2. Microstructural changes in structural materials and their changes; 3. Service life of metallic materials in relation to degradation mechanisms, which will be implemented at the workplaces of the Department of Materials Engineering and Recycling. The research teams and the involvement of individual members are described in the appendix. The key link for all research areas is the relationship between microstructure and utility properties depending on previous production processes and operating conditions using optical and electron microscopy methods. Microstructural parameters will be supplemented by the evaluation of primarily mechanical, corrosion properties and technological properties. Individual researchers from among academic staff and doctoral students will participate in multiple research assets and are currently actively collaborating. However, the key to the successful solution of the project is also the involvement of students of the follow-up master's degree, who will gain unique experience with research activities. To increase the safety, reliability and service life of power equipment, it is necessary to monitor processes associated with microstructural changes in weld joints, which due to long-term high-temperature exposure may exhibit microstructural changes indicating changes in mechanical properties. Based on this monitoring and a closer analysis of degradation damage to weld joints, it is possible to make an early prediction of the occurrence and development of defects in these critical areas of power equipment. However, the welding process is used in technical practice in more industrial sectors, which is why more space will be devoted to it in student theses, both in terms of technological implementation and material aspects, with an emphasis on advanced types of welding techniques, especially without the use of additional material. Since methods associated with the additive manufacturing of precision products are still relevant, and their use in industrial sectors is constantly increasing, it is also necessary to sufficiently characterize the materials produced by this method, both in relation to the set production parameters, including the geometry of the final products, and in terms of postprocessing or subsequent surface treatment. The aim of this part will be to investigate in depth the influence of production settings on the final utility and mechanical properties and surface characteristics of the resulting products. Within the framework of this proposed project proposal, titanium alloys produced by different additive manufacturing methods will be primarily investigated. In accordance with energy policy, topics related to the influence and degradation effect of hydrogen on specific types of materials will be intensively addressed. Attention will be focused primarily on processes causing failure of metallic materials due to the influence of atomic hydrogen (electrolytically produced) or molecular hydrogen acting under high pressures. Different conditions of thermomechanical processing of steels cause significant microstructural changes that affect their mechanical properties. Therefore, within the framework of this project, the relationships between production processes, thermomechanical processing, microstructural parameters and the resulting mechanical properties of selected types of steels used in the energy sector will be analyzed. In connection with the materials used in the energy industry, one of the research topics will be the technology of preparing energy-rich fossil raw materials for their further use, where the defrosting tunnel technology will be studied, especially with an emphasis on the material design of key components to ensure their long-term service life and reduced failure rate. On a similar scale, a material analysis and appropriate design of an HRSG boiler will be carried out, which uses waste heat from the combustion process to generate low-pressure steam. Within this topic, the emphasis will again be placed on the material design of key components to ensure the failure-free operation of the entire device, and thus its increased service life. Since one of the goals of the project is to interconnect the study of the influence of modern production processes on the resulting technological and material characteristics, the research topics of individual students will also focus on advanced methods of manufacturing specific components. Within this part, the powder injection molding (MIM) method used to produce parts from tool steel will be studied. Furthermore, methods associated with the production of magnets will be studied, where the influence of the nature of the input granulate on the pressability of ferrite powder and, consequently, the resulting properties of the prepared magnets will be monitored. Since one of the current topics, which has also been reflected in the strategic plan of science and research, is the circular economy, the topic of secondary waste utilization based on stable and non-toxic insulation materials will be addressed within the framework of the presented project proposal. This part of the research plan will primarily focus on methods of separation and mineral insulation fibers from the rest of the waste and further processing of this valuable secondary raw material. Degradation processes associated with the operation of structures cause considerable damage in all industrial sectors, where the costs associated with corrosion damage constitute a significant part of the GDP of all developed countries, another research topic will be focused on protecting structures from corrosion by additional surface treatments based on a combination of mechanical-chemical pre-treatments and the phosphating process. All topics addressed, as well as the topics of diploma theses that are closely related to the solution of the project, are in accordance with the Strategic Plan of the FMT VŠB-TUO for the period 2021-2027. Companies have shown interest in the above-described topics, e.g. Třinecké železárny a.s., ČEZ a.s., Medin a.s., Mubea a.s. etc. The project envisages the involvement of students of follow-up and doctoral studies in the preparation of samples from various types of technical materials, in the collection of experimental data and the interpretation of the obtained results as part of the implementation of their final or dissertation theses. The project envisages maximum use of the equipment of the Department of Materials Engineering and Recycling in the field of preparation of metallographic sections, light microscopy and digital image analysis. Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), including EDX (energy dispersive spectroscopy), EBSD (backscattered electron diffraction) techniques and special equipment for preparation of preparations will be used in the electron microscopy laboratories. The equipment of the corrosion laboratory will be used to study the corrosion resistance of progressive technical materials, including resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Corrosion resistance will be studied using electrochemical tests in an environment simulating spot corrosion, and the degree of material sensitization in the heat-affected area of weld joints will also be evaluated using the EPR-DL method. Hydrogen embrittlement will be evaluated using the SSRT (Slow Strain Rate Test) method, and hydrogen diffusion characteristics will be determined using the permeation method. The project will include an evaluation of the mechanical properties of progressive technical materials. The technical equipment of the Department of Materials Engineering and Recycling will be used to characterize the properties of the materials, which allows for static and dynamic tests. The above-mentioned experimental methods for evaluating the structure and mechanical properties are necessary for solving final theses within the study programs Materials Engineering, Materials for Energetics and Materials Science and Engineering. The research teams and the involvement of individual members are described in more detail in the appendix. The project results will contribute to improving the quality of the pedagogical process and at the same time to developing the knowledge and skills of students and teachers in the field of studying the structure and properties of advanced materials. Special emphasis will be placed on the interpretation of the obtained data, which will be published in impact journals and proceedings of international conferences. The active involvement of master's students in the project will positively affect the quality of their final theses, which will also contribute to the good name of the faculty. It is expected that participation in the SGS project will motivate students to further study in doctoral programs. The proposed project partially builds on proven procedures, results and knowledge gained in solving SGS projects from previous years.

2025

2025

Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy

SGS

Specifický výzkum VŠB-TUO

Hlinka Josef Ing., PhD.