Thanks to their ability to create complex geometries and structures that are difficult to achieve with other methods, additive methods have become a key method for the preparation of materials and components. One of the supporting processes in this direction is Cold Kinetic Deposition (CS). The method uses high-velocity gas flows to accelerate powder particles to speeds at which the particles are mechanically deformed. In doing so, the deposited metal powders are bonded with the substrate without the transition into the liquid phase. This technology allows the combination of different metallic materials, enabling to creation of components with unique properties, such as variable hardness, wear resistance, or the ability to dampen vibrations. As part of the studies, it was found that it is possible to apply layers even from very resistant materials such as nickel superalloys, with low resulting porosity and high adhesion strength of the layers. The Department of Metal Materials deals with research and development of additive methods focused on preparing metal multimaterials and materials with internal architecture, with gradient and functional properties, especially using CS. We develop gradient materials aimed at aerospace and automotive applications to increase the endurance and service life of components exposed to extreme conditions. As an example, a two-material turbocharger rotor with a layer resistant to elevated temperatures and applied loading can be mentioned.

Currently, the department is dealing with the development of layers resistant to the influence of hydrogen in applications where the use of new fuels with an increased hydrogen content can be assumed. Another important area is the development of laminar metal composites and corrosion-resistant layers, including applications operating at high temperatures. Electron beam technology is advantageously used in some applications, whether for joining difficult-to-weld materials (turbocharger shafts and rotors) or for surface treatment of additively prepared materials. We cooperate on these topics with leading industrial partners and academic institutions, e.g. the University of Defence in Brno, the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, or the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Academy of Sciences in Brno.

Contact person:
Libor Pantělejev, assoc. prof.