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UCT PragueFCTDepartment of Metals and Corrosion Engineering Research Laboratory Equipment
 
The Laboratory Equipment
The Laboratory Equipment

The Laboratory Equipment
 

Physical Metallurgy

Material Preparation and Microstructure

  • Retsch Emax Mill
    A milling device used for mixing powder mixtures as well as refining powders in steel or zirconia grinding jars. The Retsch Emax mill can also be used for the mechanical alloying of materials.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48
  • Retsch PM100 Mill
    A planetary ball mill equipped with steel grinding jars, used for the mechanical alloying of metallic powders. The grinding jars and the 2 cm diameter grinding balls are made of AISI 420 stainless steel. Thanks to jars equipped with aeration valves, mechanical alloying can be performed under various atmospheres.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48
  • 3Dlab Metal Material Atomizer
    An innovative device for the custom production of narrow fractions of metallic powders from metal alloy wires or rods.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS42A
  • FCT Systeme HP-D 10 Spark Plasma Sintering Device
    Equipment for the compaction of powder materials capable of preparing cylindrical specimens with diameters of 20, 30, and 50 mm. Ultra-high heating rates are achieved by passing an electric current through the powder material, with compaction occurring under applied pressure.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48
  • AMCM M 290-1 FLX Metal 3D Printer
    A metal 3D printer for custom material fabrication via localized laser melting. The device can print a wide range of metallic materials, from titanium and steel to cobalt alloys. Two types of building platforms with different sizes are available, allowing for optimization of the minimum amount of metal powder required for printing. The printer's laser is equipped with beam-shaping capabilities to alter energy distribution during the printing process.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Jiří Kubásek, Ph.D. (email: kubasekj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48
  • ATM Saphir 520 Automatic Metallographic Polisher
    An automatic metallographic polishing machine that enables simultaneous polishing of up to 5 specimens. It features a 4-way automatic dosing system used for dispensing diamond suspensions and lubricants. The applied force on the specimen and various polishing modes can be adjusted.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Alena Michalcova, Ph.D. (email: michalca@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444202, 4464)
    • Room: AS41
  • ATM Brillant 220 Precision Metallographic Saw
    A cutting machine enabling precise sectioning of a wide range of materials, from polymers to metallic materials and ceramics. Alumina, diamond, or CBN (cubic boron nitride) cutoff wheels can be used for sectioning. To minimize thermal damage to the material, the saw is equipped with water cooling.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48A
  • Vacuum Induction Furnace
    A modernized Leybold-Heraeus vacuum induction furnace for melting and casting under vacuum or an inert atmosphere.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Jiří Kubásek, Ph.D. (email: kubasekj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS42B
  • Muffle Furnaces
    Muffle furnaces for annealing at temperatures up to 1800°C (Note: 1200 °C in original text). They feature a programmable controller for detailed thermal cycle configuration.
    • Contact: Ing. Jan Šerák, Ph.D. (email: serakj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445013)
    • Room: AS42B
  • Centrifugal Atomizer
    Equipment for the production of rapidly solidified aluminum alloy powders via centrifugal atomization. The device is equipped with induction heating to melt the charge (max. 1 kg). It achieves cooling rates of approximately 102 K/s.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS42B
  • Melt Spinning Device for Rapid Cooling
    Equipment for the production of rapidly solidified aluminum alloy ribbons via melt spinning. The device is equipped with induction heating to melt the charge (max. 40 g). It achieves cooling rates between 103-105 K/s.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS42B
  • Quorum Q150R ES Sputter Coater
    The Quorum Q150R ES sputter coater is used for coating materials, mostly to increase the material's conductivity for electron microscopy. Gold (Au) is most commonly used for coating, though other metals such as silver (Ag) can also be utilized. Depending on the settings, metal layer thicknesses can start from as low as 1 nm.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Alena Michalcova, Ph.D. (email: michalca@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444202, 4464)
    • Room: AS41

Chemical Composition Analysis

  • BRUKER GALILEO G8 and ICARUS G4 Elemental Analyzers
    Determination of light element contents (O, N, H, and Ar) on the GALILEO G8 using selective NDIR detectors, thermal conductivity cells (TCD), or a highly sensitive mass spectrometer (MS) with detection limits in the ppb range. Determination of C and S contents on the ICARUS G4 combustion analyzer with high precision (up to ppm) and short measurement times.
    • Sample Requirements: Ideal weight is 0.1–0.5 g depending on the expected element content; max dimensions: approx. 0.5 x 0.5 x 1 cm; both powder and compact forms are accepted; no organic materials.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48B
  • Horiba JobinYvon GD Profiler II Atomic Emission Spectrometer
    The spectrometer is equipped with a radiofrequency glow discharge excitation source. Thanks to controlled surface sputtering, it enables chemical bulk and depth profile analysis of both conductive and non-conductive samples.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS40
  • Vanta V2CR Handheld XRF Spectrometer
    The Vanta V2CR handheld XRF spectrometer performs rapid and accurate elemental chemical composition analysis of metals, alloys, and other materials within the elemental range of Mg–U. Due to its easy handling, it also allows for sample measurement outside the laboratory. For conventional measurements of small laboratory samples, it is complemented by a test stand with a shielded chamber.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Alena Michalcova, Ph.D. (email: michalca@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444202, 4464)
    • Room: A49

Microstructure and Powder Material Characterization

  • TESCAN VEGA 3 LMU Scanning Electron Microscope
    Thanks to its variable chamber pressure capability, the TESCAN VEGA 3 LMU scanning electron microscope allows for the observation of both conductive and non-conductive materials. Equipped with an OXFORD Instruments INCA 350 EDS analyzer, it also enables chemical microanalysis of the observed sample.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS41
  • TESCAN MIRA 2 LMU Scanning Electron Microscope
    The TESCAN MIRA 2 LMU scanning electron microscope enables detailed microstructure observation of metallic and other materials at magnifications up to 50k×. Furthermore, thanks to its EDS and EBSD detectors, the device can be used for chemical and crystallographic analysis.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS41
  • Nikon Eclipse MA 200 Metallurgical Optical Microscope
    An optical microscope for observation in reflected light mode. The magnification range is 50–1000×. It features polarization and DIC (differential interference contrast) filters, as well as a digital camera and software for image acquisition, processing, and analysis.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS44
  • Olympus PME3 Metallographic Light Microscope
    A metallographic microscope for observations in the 50–1000× magnification range. It is equipped with polarizing filters and differential interference contrast (DIC). It features a color digital camera and software for image acquisition, processing, and analysis.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Filip Průša, Ph.D. (email: prusaf@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS41
  • Carl Zeiss Neophot 2 Metallographic Light Microscope
    A metallographic microscope for observations in the 50–2000× magnification range. In addition to standard imaging, it also enables Vickers microhardness testing with loads ranging from 5 to 100 g. It is equipped with a color digital camera and software for image acquisition, processing, and analysis.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS41
  • Malvern Mastersizer 3000 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer
    The Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction system is used to determine the particle size distribution of powders. Measurements can be performed in both dry and wet configurations.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Jiří Kubásek, Ph.D. (email: kubasekj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48B
  • MBraun UNILab Pro Glovebox
    This equipment enables laboratory work with hazardous powder substances, as well as operations within an anaerobic environment or an atmosphere of any chosen gas.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Jiří Kubásek, Ph.D. (email: kubasekj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS42A

Mechanical Properties Testing

  • LabTest 5.250SP1-VM Universal Testing Machine
    A universal testing machine for performing tensile, compression, and flexural strength tests of materials at room temperature and elevated temperatures up to 1200°C. The instrument is equipped with a laser extensometer for precise measurement of specimen strain.
    • Contact: doc. Ing. Jiří Kubásek, Ph.D. (email: kubasekj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444441)
    • Room: AS48A
  • FutureTech FM700 Microhardness Tester
    A semi-automatic FutureTech FM700 microhardness tester used for Vickers hardness measurements at low to medium loads (1 g to 1 kg). It is equipped with multiple objectives, allowing for the measurement of materials spanning a wide hardness range.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS41
  • Pin-on Disc & Oscillating TRIBOtester
    A device that enables the measurement of tribological properties of materials in both linear and rotational configurations using the Pin-on-Disc method. Various materials can be used as the counter-body, most commonly an alumina or steel ball. The instrument is also equipped with a profilometer that can determine surface roughness and wear track depth with high precision.
    • Contact: prof. Pavel Novák, Ph.D. (email: panovak@vscht.cz, tel.: 220445026)
    • Room: AS41

 

Chemical Metallurgy

  • VM4 Laboratory Vibratory Mill
    This device enables the batch milling of raw materials and minerals with a hardness of up to 9 on the Mohs scale. It can process a single-batch sample weight of up to 200 g with an initial grain size of up to 10 mm. It is equipped with a timer function.
    • Contact:  Ing. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D. (email: dvorakp@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444057)
    • Room: A57b
  • Fritsch Analysette 3 Sieve Shaker
    A vibratory sieve shaker designed for the quantitative particle size analysis of solids (ranging from 4 mm to 45 mm), featuring adjustable amplitude and sieving time settings.
    • Contact: Ing. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D. (email: dvorakp@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444057)
    • Room: A50a
  • SavantAA Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
    An instrument used to determine the concentration of predominantly metallic elements in solutions. It utilizes flame atomization (air-acetylene or N2O-acetylene). Detection limits and the dynamic range depend on the specific element and matrix, typically ranging in the ppm scale, and under optimized conditions, reaching ppb levels.
    • Contact: Ing. Eva Kristianová, Ph.D. (email: kristiae@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444509)
    • Room: A53
  • SavantAA Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Flameless)
    Determination of concentrations of predominantly metallic elements in solutions using electrothermal atomization. Detection Limits: ppm to ppb range.
    • Contact: Ing. Eva Kristianová, Ph.D. (email: kristiae@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444509)
    • Room: A53
  • Parr Autoclave
    This system enables the leaching of materials in various media under high pressures and temperatures. The Hastelloy reaction vessel is equipped with a 1.8 L glass liner. Internal fixtures include a cooling coil for controlled temperature reduction and a Hastelloy stirrer. The autoclave can reach a maximum pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of 300 °C. Heating is provided by an electric heating mantle. The unit is also equipped with a sampling valve assembly.
    • Contact: Ing. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D. (email: dvorakp@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444057)
    • Room: A57b
    • Laboratory Rotary Kiln with Combined Heating
      Heating of samples up to 1450 °C utilizing an electric heating zone and a gas burner. Designed for continuous operation (continuous material feeding and discharge). Features an optional gas extraction from the furnace chamber.
      • Contact: Ing. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D. (email: dvorakp@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444057)
      • Room: A57b
      • Controlled Atmosphere Furnace
        Annealing of samples in various atmospheres (most commonly vacuum, Ar, or $H_2$) up to 1000 °C.
        • Contact: Ing. Tomáš Frýdl (email: frydlt@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444057)
        • Room: AS42b
      • Vertical Furnace with Controlled Sample Heating
        Batch heating of both compact and powder samples up to 1450 °C with a programmable heating rate. Features optional gas extraction from the furnace chamber and atmosphere control with gas purging capabilities (air, N2, Ar).
        • Contact: Ing. Eva Kristianová, Ph.D. (email: kristiae@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444509)
        • Room: AS50a

      Corrosion Engineering

      • Gamry, Zahner, and PalmSens Potentiostats
        Potentiostats are used to perform electrochemical measurements, which are fundamental for describing the corrosion behavior of metals in various environments. The instruments enable the measurement of polarization curves, open-circuit corrosion potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and other techniques critical for characterizing corrosion phenomena. Electrochemical measurements can be conducted inside a Faraday cage. The department is equipped with the following potentiostats: Gamry Interface 1010B, Gamry Reference 620, Gamry FAS1, Zahner PP201, Zahner Zennium Pro, and PalmSens4.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: A59
      • UV-VIS UV-M90 Spectrophotometer
        A spectrophotometer that measures the absorbance of solutions within the UV-VIS wavelength range. It is suitable for the quantitative analysis of solutions.
        • Contact: Ing. Šárka Msallamová, Ph.D. (email: msallams@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443750)
        • Room: A61
      • UV-VIS DR 6000 Spectrophotometer
        A spectrophotometer that measures the absorbance of solutions within the UV-VIS wavelength range. It is suitable for the quantitative analysis of solutions.
        • Contact: Ing. Šárka Msallamová, Ph.D. (email: msallams@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443750)
        • Room: A62
      • Dionex ICS-6000DC Ion Chromatograph
        The Dionex ICS-6000 DC instrument is used for analyzing ions in solutions. Ion chromatography can determine even trace concentrations of anions and cations.
        • Contact: Ing. Tereza Boháčková, Ph.D. (email: jamborot@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: AS40
      • Agilent 34970A and Keithley DAQ6510 Multimeters
        A multimeter is a versatile, programmable measuring instrument used to measure various electrical quantities, such as resistance and voltage. Its application in electrochemistry primarily involves multi-channel logging of open-circuit corrosion potentials against a reference electrode.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: A59
      • MetriCorr ACD-03 and CorrSen Data Loggers
        These data loggers are used to measure and record data during corrosion monitoring using electrical resistance (ER) sensors.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: A59
      • Mettler Toledo Automatic Titrator
        A titration unit designed for streamlined, automated titration. The determination of analyte concentrations in a solution is measured electrochemically, where the equivalence point is identified by a change in potential.
        • Contact: Ing. Šárka Msallamová, Ph.D. (email: msallams@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443750)
        • Room: A62
      • SEE System Goniometer (ADVEX Instruments)
        An instrument designed for the determination of contact angles and surface free energy.
        • Contact: Ing. Šárka Msallamová, Ph.D. (email: msallams@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443750)
        • Room: A59
      • Olympus SZX10 Stereomikroskop
        Thanks to its dual optical paths, the Olympus stereo microscope is ideally suited for observing surface topography and relief. Consequently, it is most frequently used for imaging corrosion products or inspecting surface degradation.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: A60
      • Comtest OP Pull-Off Adhesion Tester (Coming Plus)
        This device can directly measure the adhesion strength of a coating to a substrate by determining the force/stress required for pull-off delamination.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: A59
      • Surftest SJ-201 Surface Roughness Tester (Mitutoyo)
        A device designated for measuring surface roughness profiles. In addition to standard statistical parameters such as Ra and Rz, a linear profile trace can be acquired when interfaced with a PC.
        • Contact: Ing. Šárka Msallamová, Ph.D. (email: msallams@vscht.cz, , tel.: 220443750)
        • Room: A59
      • Binder KBF 240 Climate Chamber
        This environmental chamber enables cyclic conditioning by alternating temperature and relative humidity levels (e.g., for testing according to Volvo STD 1027). The operating range spans temperatures from -10 to +60 °C and relative humidity (RH) from 10 to 95%.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jan Stoulil, Ph.D. (email: stoulilj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443789)
        • Room: AS84
      • Memmert HCP 108 Climate Chamber
        This chamber provides unique capabilities for environmental testing under high temperatures coupled with high relative humidity (up to 80% RH at 80 °C).
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jan Stoulil, Ph.D. (email: stoulilj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220443789)
        • Room: AS84
      • Glovebox
        For experiments requiring anaerobic conditions, a glovebox is available to perform various enclosed electrochemical measurements.
      • Sartorius Cubis Ultramicrobalance
        A balance designed for high-precision mass determination with a readability of 0.0001 mg.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Milan Kouřil, Ph.D. (email: kourilm@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444275)
        • Room: AS41
      • Alpina Laminar Flow Hood
        The Alpina laminar flow hood is equipped with a Philips UVC lamp, enabling laboratory work within a sterile, controlled environment.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jaroslav Fojt, Ph.D. (email: fojtj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444204)
        • Room: A56
      • Tuttnauer 2340MR Sterilizer
        The Tuttnauer 2340MR is an autoclave-type sterilizer that allows for the creation and maintenance of a sterile environment across various temperature settings.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jaroslav Fojt, Ph.D. (email: fojtj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444204)
        • Room: A54
      • GW Instek PSW160-21.6 Programmable Laboratory Power Supply
        A computer-controlled DC power supply capable of providing adjustable voltages up to 160 V.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jaroslav Fojt, Ph.D. (email: fojtj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444204)
        • Room: A56
      • VWR INCU-LINE I10 Incubators
        These heated chamber incubators are used to simulate in vivo environments, making them particularly suitable for testing the corrosion properties of biomaterials. The units can be fitted with a UVC lamp to ensure sterile testing conditions.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jaroslav Fojt, Ph.D. (email: fojtj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444204)
        • Room: A54
      • Volumetric Corrosion Measurement Apparatus
        This mercury-based glass apparatus enables the measurement of corrosion rates by monitoring the volume of generated hydrogen gas.
        • Room: A56
      • Witeg WCR-P8 Refrigerated Circulating Thermostat
        A refrigerated circulating thermostat designed for the temperature control of external systems such as exposure cells, reactors, photometers, and refractometers, as well as for direct tempering within the thermostat bath. The temperature range spans from -25 to 150 °C.
        • Contact: Ing. Richard Bureš, Ph.D. (email: buresr@vscht.cz, tel.: 2204443750)
        • Room: A59
      • Keyence VHX-7000N Digital Microscope
        The Keyence VHX-7000N digital microscope features high-resolution imaging, advanced 3D surface profiling, and automated rapid focusing, which enables detailed surface analysis without complex sample preparation. It offers a wide magnification range from approximately 10× up to 2000× (depending on the objective lens used), ensuring high flexibility when observing various material types. This instrument is shared and operated in cooperation with Department 148.
        • Contact: doc. Ing. Jaroslav Fojt, Ph.D. (email: fojtj@vscht.cz, tel.: 220444204)
        • Room: AS44
      • Original Prusa i3 MK3 3D Printer
        A 3D printer designated for the additive manufacturing of physical objects by sequentially depositing layers of molten plastic filament (Fused Deposition Modeling). It is utilized for fabrication of functional parts, custom fixtures, or replacement components. It features a build volume of 250 × 210 × 210 mm and supports printing filaments such as PLA, ABS, PETG, and other materials.
        • Contact: Ing. Richard Bureš, Ph.D. (email: buresr@vscht.cz, tel.: 2204443750)
        • Room: AS46