The main focus of physical metallurgy is the study of the relationships between the manufacturing process, the internal structure, and the resulting properties of metallic materials. The research group seeks to achieve high mechanical properties of metals (strength, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance), even under extreme conditions. Progressive methods of metal materials production are used: 3D printing, powder metallurgy, plasma sintering, intensive plastic deformation, ultra-fast solidification of melts, and laser surface modification. New materials with unique combinations of properties are being developed - e.g. 3D printed metallic biomaterials for medical implants, ultra-fine grained and nanocrystalline materials, lightweight, hard and heat resistant intermetallic compounds, high strength and toughness alloys with high entropy, shape memory alloys, biodegradable alloys for medical implants, materials for safe hydrogen storage, chemically and thermally highly resistant protective surface layers.
Research topics:
Metal and composite materials produced by 3D printing
- Porous and gradient metallic materials as drug carriers for medicine
- Bone and joint replacements for human and veterinary medicine
- Metals for hydrogen storage
- Laser surface treatment of 3D printed metallic materials to increase hardness, abrasion resistance, and biocompatibility
Metal materials for extreme applications
- Sintered silicides as future tool materials
- Intermetallics and intermetallic layers for high-temperature applications
- Composite materials based on high entropy alloys reinforced with particles prepared from waste materials
- High-entropy refractory alloy-based materials for nuclear power
- New types of dispersion-strengthened oxide steels for extreme environments
- Prospective alloys for hydrogen storage
- Advanced cermet composite materials for extreme kinetic energy dissipation
- Lightweight metallic materials for automotive and aerospace applications
- High strength, high ignition temperature magnesium alloys for the aerospace industry
- Lightweight metal matrix composite materials
- High-strength aluminium alloys for the automotive industry
Degradation processes of metallic materials
- Hydrogen embrittlement of titanium, high strength steels, light alloys and 3D printed metals
- Fatigue of 3D printed titanium alloys - influence of structure and surface condition
- Tin plague - structural change responsible for the failure of both sights and solder joints