Research programs

Physics and Chemistry of Metallic Material Surfaces

The research programme P2-0132 Surface Physics and Chemistry of Metallic Materials combines fundamental and applied research on metallic materials, their surfaces, and their grain and phase boundaries. Its central objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationships between chemical composition, microstructure, processing conditions, and the functional properties of materials, and to translate this knowledge into new materials, technologies, and industrial solutions. The programme comprises four closely interconnected research areas: surface structuring and functionalisation, processes in solid alloys, advanced synthesis technologies for metallic materials, and surface engineering.

Surface structuring and functionalisation

A significant part of the programme is devoted to the controlled modification of metallic surfaces to improve their technological properties, functionality, and service life. The research covers steels, aluminium and titanium alloys, as well as advanced metallic biomaterials. By applying protective coatings, nanoparticles, mechanical treatments, and laser texturing, we develop surfaces with improved corrosion and wear resistance and tailored wetting properties. Our research includes hybrid organic–inorganic coatings containing nanoparticles that enhance mechanical stability, reduce coating porosity, and limit crack propagation. Particular attention is also given to environmentally friendly corrosion-protection solutions, biodegradable corrosion inhibitors, and self-healing protective systems. Laser texturing enables the precise modification of surfaces at the micro- and nanoscale. By controlling surface roughness and chemistry, wetting behaviour can be tailored from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic. Such solutions are relevant to self-cleaning and anti-icing surfaces, the control of biological adhesion, microfluidics, and other advanced applications. We also investigate surfaces with specific functional properties, including wettability gradients and combinations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. These surfaces have potential applications in water management, fuel cells, open-surface microfluidics, chemical synthesis, and separation processes. This research area also includes the development of new catalytic materials, including high-entropy alloys, and more environmentally sustainable processes for recovering critical raw materials from electronic waste and automotive catalysts.

Biodegradable and biocompatible metallic materials

A dedicated part of the programme focuses on the development of metallic materials for medical applications. Biodegradable materials provide temporary structural support and gradually degrade in the human body, making them particularly promising for orthopaedics, paediatrics, and cardiovascular surgery. The research includes alloys based on iron, magnesium, and zinc. By adjusting their chemical composition, thermomechanical treatment, manufacturing route, and surface properties, we control their mechanical performance and degradation rate. For iron-based materials, the focus is primarily on Fe–Mn alloys, where the objective is to accelerate the otherwise slow degradation of iron. In magnesium alloys, alloying and protective surface layers are used to prevent excessively rapid degradation. The development process encompasses both conventional metallurgical routes and advanced techniques such as powder metallurgy, electrodeposition, laser deposition, and additive manufacturing. For permanent implants, we investigate titanium alloys and surface modifications designed to improve bone integration, inhibit unwanted biofilm formation, and reduce the risk of aseptic implant loosening.

Processes at grain and phase boundaries

The properties of metallic materials are largely determined by their microstructure and by the processes occurring at grain and phase boundaries. We investigate deformation, dislocation motion, twinning, recrystallisation, phase transformations, microalloying, and precipitation hardening. These mechanisms have a decisive influence on strength, toughness, creep resistance, fatigue behaviour, and corrosion resistance. Using advanced electron microscopy methods, we study materials at the level of grains, dislocations, and atoms. Our research employs in situ observations at elevated temperatures, two- and three-dimensional EBSD analysis, and computational modelling based on molecular dynamics. The materials investigated include steels, aluminium and titanium alloys, and nickel-based superalloys. In the field of microalloying, we examine the effects of small additions of boron, vanadium, titanium, niobium, copper, and rare-earth elements on solidification, microstructural development, and the mechanical properties of advanced steels. In precipitation-hardened materials, we investigate how chemical composition, processing history, and operating conditions affect the formation and stability of secondary phases. Part of the research is also dedicated to self-healing metallic materials. The objective is to develop microstructures in which dynamic precipitation or oxide formation can slow down or arrest crack propagation. Such materials could extend component service life and improve safety, particularly under elevated-temperature and cyclic-loading conditions.

Advanced synthesis technologies and additive manufacturing

The programme includes the development of advanced methods for producing metallic materials with fine and controlled microstructures. The research encompasses severe plastic deformation, rapid solidification, powder metallurgy, and metal additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing enables the production of geometrically complex components with high material efficiency. The final properties of these components depend strongly on their thermal history, heating and cooling rates, temperature gradients, powder characteristics, laser scanning strategy, and layer thickness. We therefore systematically investigate the effects of processing parameters on porosity, residual stresses, crystallographic texture, anisotropy, and mechanical properties. Particular emphasis is placed on developing new materials for additive manufacturing, including high-entropy alloys, magnetic materials, dispersion-strengthened steels, and metal-matrix composites containing ceramic nanoparticles. We also explore the biomimetic design of lightweight structures inspired by efficient structural principles found in nature. Experimental research is complemented by computational modelling of heat transfer, solidification, nucleation, and grain growth. The resulting models enable the prediction of microstructure and the optimisation of laser scanning strategies and other processing parameters. This shortens development cycles and supports the reliable transfer of additive manufacturing technologies to industrial environments.

Surface engineering

Surface engineering focuses on heat treatment and thermochemical processes used to improve the properties of the surface layers of metallic materials. Particular attention is given to materials produced by additive manufacturing, as their microstructures, residual-stress distributions, and responses to heat treatment differ from those of conventionally manufactured materials. One of the key processes investigated is pulsed-plasma nitriding. This treatment forms a hard nitrided surface layer that improves component hardness, wear resistance, and durability. The research covers tools and high-speed steels, stainless and maraging steels, titanium alloys, and nickel-based superalloys. We also investigate cryogenic treatment in liquid nitrogen, vacuum heat treatment, and the combination of nitriding with hard protective coatings.

Research methods and cooperation with industry

The programme combines experimental research, advanced characterisation, and computational modelling. The methods used include optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, SEM, TEM, EDS, WDS, EBSD, XRD, XPS, FIB, and three-dimensional analyses of surfaces and microstructures. These techniques are complemented by chemical analysis, thermodynamic measurements, mechanical and tribological testing, creep testing, and modelling using software tools such as Thermo-Calc, DICTRA, and JMatPro. The programme integrates expertise from metallurgy, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, biology, and medicine. Research is conducted in cooperation with Slovenian and international research institutions and industrial partners. The knowledge generated is transferred to the metallurgical, metal-processing, tooling, automotive, aerospace, energy, and healthcare industries. The programme contributes to the development of more durable, safer, and more energy-efficient materials, the reduction of raw-material and energy consumption, and the introduction of advanced manufacturing technologies. Other important objectives include the training of early-career researchers, participation in international research networks, and the transfer of knowledge into new products, technological solutions, and innovations.