Laboratory of Surface Technologies and Degradation of Materials (Branch Office in Pilsen)

Department: Department D 4 - Impact and Waves in Solids
Head: doc. Ing. Petr Hora, CSc.

At the Laboratory of Surface Technologies and Degradation of Materials, we focus on the study of complex study of degradation of materials, heat treatment of materials and surface treatment by PVD and chemical - heat treatment methods.

For metal materials, we focus on mechanical, corrosion and chemical degradation and degradation caused by temperature load strain over a wide range of temperature exposure with approximate approach of operating conditions in laboratory testing.

For polymeric and composite materials, we focus on the degradation processes of temperature ageing, ageing due to exposure humidity, and radiation ageing by exposure to sunlight, both when applied in a complex form in the sun chamber and when applied separately in temperature chambers and liquid baths.

The evaluation of degradation processes is monitored from initiation phases, through the development of degradation and up to final stages using sensitive analytical methods of evaluation of mechanical properties and behaviour in macro, micro and nano areas, using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and chemical and structure analyses.

The evaluation of degradation processes is closely connected to the development of technological processes of surface treatment and heat and chemical heat treatment of materials to improve the resistance of materials against different types of degradation processes.

A complex analytical evaluation of materials systems is in close connection to optimise technological processes of surface treatment by PVD methods and heat and chemical - heat treatment of materials.

Researchers:

doc. Ing. Petr Hora, CSc.

Ing. Andrea Pechová

RNDr. Ivo Štěpánek

Bc. Lucie Štěpánová

Ing. Tereza Vaňková, Ph.D.



Secretariat:

Bc. Pavlína Strejcová, Dis.



Technical stuff:

Andrea Plecitá

Research and development focusses on:

development and implementation of advanced technological processes in the field of surface treatment by different technological processes of PVD and PA CVD, chemical-heat treatment and heat treatment including ageing of material systems
testing the resistance and predictive behaviour of material systems in corrosion-induced degradation processes, thermal influences, mechanical macro, micro and nano stresses and ageing processes of composite and polymer materials
evaluation of initiation and development stages of degradation of material systems and complex properties and behaviours in surface layers of material systems as well as bulk materials of different structures
development of methodological procedures for evaluating the results of technological processes, properties and behaviour of material systems with chemical-heat treatment, surface treatment and modifications and material systems from degradation and ageing processes
development of methodological procedures for setting degradation and ageing processes
computer processing of data from technological and degradation processes, computational methods and model approximations of technological processes and diagnostics

TH02010026

Development of new technologies for the manufacture of advanced tools and components.

The aim of the project is the research and development in the field of special tools with significant improved features (abrasion resistance, durability) and their manufacturing technologies friendly to the environment. The partial aim of the project is to develop a technology which would allow to manufacture these special tools also for piece / small scale production, i.e. with low production costs while maintaining their peak performance. This aim is in the context of available solutions significantly innovative and provides high added value of the project.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová

CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/15_019/0004451

Thin coats deposition - advanced tools and innovative technologies

Research and development of suitable methods of thin layer deposition and heat treatment of special tools for subsequent surface treatments. Development of technology enabling the production of newly developed special tools while maintaining low production costs and achieving greater greenness of operations.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová

CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/19_262/0020161

Optimalization of selected surface treatment of heat-resisting steel for specific operational conditions

The project solve the optimization of the selection of heat-resisting material in the connection to surface finishes to increase resistance in specific operating conditions given by the simultaneous action of corrosion, mechanical stress, erosion and/ or impact of accelerated particles. The problem of increased resistance of the base material to corrosion and resistance to mechanical fracture and erosion by surface treatment with at least equal corrosion resistance. Optimization of surface finishes and feedback analytical methods.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová

CZ.01.01.01/08/22_001/0000232

Feasibility study of ecological change of heat treatment by advanced technologies in correlation of qualitative changes of properties and ecological load

The focus is on a feasibility study of ecological change in heat treatment with advanced heat treatment and surface treatment technologies in correlation of qualitative changes in properties, ecological stress and economics. Considering the reflection of eco-stress reduction, the selection of heat treatment methods will be implemented from the point of view of both technologies and process mediums and to achieve a qualitative effect of combining with surface treatment technologies in correlation to material quality and economics of operation.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová

CZ.01.01.01/01/22_002/0000357

Optimization of the chemical heat treatment of special stainless steel materials with a controlled structure from the point of view of the technological operating parameters of the surface treatment and base material systems

The project solve the chemical heat treatment of special stainless steels with difficult processing from the point of view of achieving greater depths of surface modification and the necessary increase of surface hardness with the maintenance of sufficient toughness. The project solve the question of both the technological parameters of the production of selected special sealing rings and the resistance of these products under operating load conditions. In addition to technological parameters, the effect of structure properties on surface finishes will be monitored.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová, Miloslav Mach

CZ.01.01.01/01/22_002/0000358

Optimizing the production of special components from the point of view of forming technology and increasing resistance by surface treatments to the operating conditions of thermal and chemical loads

The project solution is aimed at optimizing the technology of production of special mouldings into operationally demanding thermal chemical load conditions, from a comprehensive perspective of optimization of forming technology parameters in close relation to material characteristics of mouldings with ensuring dimensional accuracy and quality without defects and optimization of material system properties in relation to required operational temperature and corrosion resistance with ensuring limit mechanical resistance and its stability.

Research team

Ivo Štěpánek, Lucie Štěpánová, Andrea Pechová, Tereza Vaňková

ELASTOCON EB 23 WITH RELAXATION EQUIPMENT ELASTOCON EB 02

Temperature chamber enables simulation long-term temperature ageing of polymeric materials with measurement of relaxation processes during heating. The measurement is performed step by step for the evaluation of degradation involving changing namely mechanical properties.

Q-LAB CRH 600 HSC

Corrosion chamber enables testing of corrosion resistance of materials (before and after processes of surface treatment) using salt fog or shower of salt solution under defined humidity and temperature. The measurement is performed step by step for the evaluation of initiation of corrosion and expansion of corrosive degradation.

Q SUN XE3HS

Sun chamber enables simulation of radiation ageing of materials under combination stress sun radiation, temperature and humidity with application on different kind of polymeric materials including thin films. The measurement is performed step by step for the evaluation of degradation involving changing namely mechanical properties.

ELECTROPLUS E10000 LINEAR-TORSION INSTRON WITH CLIMATIC CHAMBER, HEATING OF SAMPLES AND CHAMBER FOR LIQUID ENVIRONMENT

ElectroPlus E10000 is used for testing of mechanical properties by static (tensile, pressure and torsion) and cyclic loading for the evaluation of fatigue behaviour with possibilities to take into account also higher temperatures and influence of liquid environment. Mechanical testing is performed for the evaluation of properties samples with thin films or after corrosion degradation or after ageing processes (polymeric materials).

VEGA3 SB-EASYPROBE TESCAN WITH MICROPROBE

Scanning Electron Microscope enables the evaluation of systems thin film – substrate – structure, chemical composition, adhesive cohesive behaviour after scratch and static indentation, fractures after tensile and torsion tests during static and cycle loading, corrosion degradation and other analyses connected with surface treatment processes, corrosion and ageing processes.

NST3 ANTON PAAR

NST3 is used for testing of mechanical properties and behaviour of systems thin film – substrate created namely by Flexicoat 850 - for control of surface treatment processes and their modification. In the range of study of ageing processes of polymeric materials the NST3 is used for the evaluation of changing of surface properties of polymeric materials before and after ageing processes depending on temperature, exposed sun radiation and humidity. The evaluated properties for optimization of systems thin film – substrate are namely hardening of surfaces, adhesive cohesive properties and elastic-plastic behaviour with depth sensitivity.

FLEXICOAT 850 – WITH COMBINATION DEPOSITION PROCESSES CARC+, SPUTTERING AND PACVD

Surface treatment by different methods as PVD – ARC, PVD – UBM, nitriding and PACVD and their combination for the creation of different type of thin films based on used targets, cathodes and process gases. The application enables increasing wear resistance, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and bioaktivity.