METALLURGY
Even if generally considered “strong”, metals can suffer degradation due to interaction with other materials and the environment. While in some cases this degradation is envised (biodegradable and/or bio-absorbable materials), it is generally undesired: ICMATE is actively involved in tribology and corrosion fields, with activities devoted to understand specific degradation phenomena, and to propose possible solutions.
The activities focus on investigating corrosion phenomena related to metallic materials for technological applications, testing in different environments, including fresh water, seawater and simulated biological fluid, by using both conventional electrochemical techniques and designed and customized experiments beyond the scope and limitations of existing test protocols. Protective coatings and bulk materials are deeply investigated, i.e. innovative metallic and ceramic coatings, for corrosion protection and other functional applications, alloys for the biomedical sector and for offshore uses.
Beyond this, ICMATE researchers undertake failure investigations and analyses of corroded surfaces, including accelerated testing and implementation of corrosion mitigation measures. The main objectives of corrosion-related activities include the evaluation of the performance of various materials and protective coatings in different corrosive environments, allowing an evaluation of corrosion resistance and a comparison of materials and anti-corrosion measures.
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The mission of this research activity in ICMATE is to investigate the branches of tribology – friction, wear and lubrication – through their combined effects on interacting surfaces in relative motion, with results laying at the intersection of mechanical engineering, materials science, surface physics and chemistry. Researchers exploit and develop different testing methods, with particular reference to geometric coupling conditions, the mode of applied load and relative motion, providing a wide range of solutions strictly connected to the intended operating conditions of the materials.
The examination of the evolution of the contact interface, the wear resistance of materials and the friction phenomena arising on coupled surfaces is the goal of this activity. Both bulk and coating materials are widely studied, especially for harsh environments and operating in the mechanical and energy sectors.
Alongside studies purely dedicated to wear, ICMATE also has an active line of research on lubrication, with activities dedicated to the development and study of nanolubricants, i.e. liquids and oils engineered through the dispersion of anti-wear nanoparticles or friction modifiers, to improve the performance of conventional lubricants.
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Tribocorrosion combines the sciences of tribology and corrosion, studying the surface deterioration processes and transformations caused by the combined effect of wear and chemical interaction. The materials degradation due to tribocorrosion in a dynamic environment poses a scientific challenge for investigation because of its multidimensional behaviour. Understanding and moderating this phenomenon will lead to efficient energy usage and conservation, providing for a high-impact sustainable energy solution.
At ICMATE, the tribocorrosion activity arises from the experience grown in the tribology sector and is mainly aimed at materials intended for use in marine and biological environments. The surfaces are exposed in environmental conditions that simulate operational ones and the synergy between corrosive and mechanical phenomena, originating from the mechanical and chemical interactions between surfaces of different nature, is deeply analysed. This is also combined with the study of the corrosion behaviour of materials in the working environments of interest, through electrochemical characterizations.
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