The project contained a complex research program on metal-ceramic composites covering (i) processing technologies pointing at optimal methods of production, (ii) experimental determination of physico-mechanical properties, (iii) analytical and numerical modelling of composites behaviour under different loading and service conditions, (iv) verification of the processed composites in service conditions on demonstrators. In particular, the following research themes were tackled:
Interpenetrating metal-ceramic phase composites (IPC)
Materials developed: Al2O3-preforms infiltrated with Cu and Al-alloy.
Research tasks comprised processing by pressure infiltration, characterization
of microstructure and material properties, modelling of effective material properties,
damage development during processing, fracture; machining and testing of demonstrators.
Advanced metal-matrix composites (MMC)
Materials developed: Mo(Re)-Al2O3, Cr(Re)-Al2O3, NiAl-Al2O3, Al6XXX-Al2O3(ZrO2), Ni-Al2O3, Al-SiC, TiAl-TiB2. Research tasks comprised powder technology processing routes, microstructure characterization, multiscale modelling of material deformation, wear, damage and fatigue under service conditions; machining and testing of demonstrators.
Nanocomposite coatings on metal or ceramic substrates
Materials developed: hard and extra-hard self-lubricating nanolayers nc-TiC/a-C:H, nc-TiN/a-C, nc WC/a-C:H; MoxTiySz MoS2; V2O5, Ag2O-MoO3. Research tasks comprised processing of coatings by magnetron sputtering and electrolytic deposition, characterisation of physico-mechanical properties, multiscale modelling of coatings’ behaviour in service conditions; preparation and testing of demonstrators.