The metallographic laboratory of IMSETHC “A. Balevski” investigates the macro and micro structures of all used in the industrial and research practice metals and alloys. There are determined the dependence between the production conditions of certain part, the structure, properties, thermal treatment and its behavior in operational conditions. Quality control is also performed for cast, welded and plastic deformed metal products.
In order to improve the quality of the examinations carried out some original methods for metallographic samples preparation are developed – electrolytic and chemical polishing of aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, tin and their alloys.
The Laboratory has important contribution to the achievement of significant research and applied results in:
- The investigation of the phase composition of more than 20 aluminum alloys, the type and metallographic characteristics of the intermetallic compounds being defined as well as their behavior at high temperatures and electrochemical etching.
- Study of the phase transformations in high nitrogen chromium-manganese steels, copper, zinc and aluminum alloys as well as investigation of the precipitation processes effect on the corrosion behavior of high nitrogen steels.
- Study of the possibilities to lay combined boride coatings on steels and different types of ceramics.
- Study of the possibilities to produce high quality castings of aluminum alloys by the counter pressure casting method. By means of the method for image quantitative assessment and numerical simulation there is determined the structure of several types of castings from the actual production, cast of aluminum alloys.
The Laboratory has participated in international project CIPA – CT 94-0156 under the Copernicus program, a number of projects from the National fund for researches of the Ministry of Education and Science and from the National innovation fund of the Agency for encouragement of SME at the Ministry of Economics and Energetics.
The Laboratory works with many clients from leading industrial enterprises and research institutions.
