PROCESS METALLURGY AND MATERIAL ANALYSIS

Analytical equipment, processing and mechanical testing systems aimed at investigating materials

DescriptionThe laboratory is equipped with analytical instruments and testing devices for the following investigations:• Microstructure and failure analysis. Optical and

electron Microscopes, hardness and micro-hardness testers and the full range of equipment needed for metallographic sample preparation.

• Physico-chemical bulk and surface analyses. Thermal analyses for phase transformations, bulk chemical analyses and concentration profiles, pin-on-disk tribometer, scratch tester, instrumented micro-hardness testers for the characterization of bulk and surface layers of metals.

• Process metallurgy. Simulation and experimental investigations of metallurgical processes by a set of muffle furnaces that can be operated up to 1200°C in ambient or inert atmosphere, a melting resistance furnace for the production of small amounts of experimental alloys. Plastic deformation processes are studied by a laboratory rolling mill extrusion systems for light alloys, as well as a hot compression/tension testing devices for hot working process optimization.

ReferencesTenaris Dalmine, Siemens, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Brembo, SMS-INNSE.

D I PA RT I M E N T O D I M E C C A N I C A

Department AddressDipartimento di Meccanica Building B23via La Masa, 1 20156 Milano - Italytelephone: +39 02 2399 8500fax: +39 02 2399 8202e-mail: info-dmec@polimi.it

Websitewww.mecc.polimi.it

Laboratory AddressBuilding B13via La Masa, 3420156 Milano - Italy

Instrumentation & Facilities• Zeiss EVO 50XVP Scanning Electron Microscope with

X-ray EDS microanalysis and Electron Backscattered Diffraction System.

• Setaram DSC / GTA thermal analysis system equipped with furnace and rods for temperature cycles of up to 800 and 1600°C.

• Horiba Jobin-Yvon GDP2 glow discharge optical.emission spectrometer.

• CSM pin-on-disk tribometer.• CSM Microindenter instrumented microhardness

(loads from 0,01 to 10 N) and scratch tester (load range 0.3 - 30 N).

• Nabertherm melting furnace (temperature up to 1700°C).

• Carbolite tube furnace (temperature of up to 1200°C, in ambient or inert atmospheres).

• OAM rolling mill (symmetric and asymmetric operation mode, rolls of 150 mm diameter; speed: 0-20 rpm continuously adjustable).

Activities

Microstructure and failure analysis• Microstructure analysis by optical and scanning

electron microscopy.• Quality control & failure analysis.

Physico-chemical bulk and surface analyses• Thermal analysis for phase transformation, melting

temperatures of alloys. • Chemical concentration profiles by GDOES on coatings

and surface treatments.• Adhesion of coatings by scratch test.• Wear properties by pin on disk testing. • Thermal treatment simulations in inert or controlled

athmosphere.

Process metallurgy• Simulaiton of metallurgical processes.• Laboratory casting of metallic alloys.• Rolling of metals at room and high temperatures.• Hot extrusion of small-size profiles of Aluminium,

Magnesium or Titanium alloys.• High-temperature compression tests to optimize hot

working conditions.• High temperature creep and slow-strain rate testing.

Rev.0