Engineering Ceramics K6 - Institut "Jožef Stefan"

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Engineering Ceramics Department is the leading group in Slovenia in the field of structural ceramics and ceramic technologies. The research programme covers phenomena relevant to materials synthesis and component fabrication, as well as mechanisms leading to degradation of engineering ceramic structures under operating conditions.

Applied research is focused on new applications of engineering ceramics, development of novel, high strength, wear, corrosion- and/or heat-resistant materials, and the development of alternative, cost effective and environmental friendly ceramic technologies.

ENGINEERING CERAMICS - K6

Multi-functional composite materials on the basis of carbon fibres, carbon, silicon carbide and silicon
Layered composites with ribbon-like structure
Hidrolyis of the AlN powder
ZrO₂ dental ceramics
Mechanical properties of the Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composites
Development of the C/C composite with the SiC protective layer for the production of braking discs and antiballistic composites with ceramic matrix on the basis of SiC
Behaviour of bio-ceramic materials in the simulated body liquid
Electrically conducting non-oxide ceramic composites
Synthesis of nano-structure ceramic layers with controlled precipitation

Staff

Head of Department
Prof. Tomaž Kosmač, Ph. D., tomaz.kosmac@ijs.si
Telephone: +386 1 477 32 27

Secretary
Mojca Hren, mojca.hren@ijs.si
Telephone: +386 1 477 38 90

Research goals:

Preparation of various layered composites with wavy ribbon-like microstructure: (Ca₃(PO₄)₂/ZrO₂, Al₂(TiO₃)₃/mullite, Al₂O₃/Ni, BaTiO₃/Ni, etc.) by repeated folding and rolling of laminates of parrafin-based pastes and subsequential sintering. Goal: improvement of mechanical/electrical characteristics in comparison to particulate composites.
Study of the hydrolysis of various powder, such as AlN. Preparation of nano-structure ceramic layers (Al₂O₃, TiO₂, SiO₂, Ca₃(PO₃)₂, hydroxy-apathite, etc.) on ceramic or metal substrates. Goal: applicability of such layers in medicine and engineering.
Dental ZrO₂ ceramics: pre-clinical testing of prototype dental posts with a core for fixing the prosthetic crown – sand blasting, diamond grinding and fatique. Goal: improvement of the strength and fatique resistance.
Study of the origin of tunneling cracks and increasing of the bending strength of homogeneous and layered particulate Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ composites, fabricated by slip-casting method. Connection: European project »Increasing the performance of total replacement prosthesis through functionally graded material innovation and design«.
Research of the C/C composite with the surface protected by the SiC layer. Goal: the use of such composite for the production of braking discs for sports motorcycles, sports cars and aeroplanes. Development of multilayered SiC composite for antiballistic protection.
Research of very hard composite materials on the basis of AlMgB₁₄-xTiB₂ (x = 0,05-0,3). Synthesis of this compound by reaction sintering of the following elements and compounds: B, Al, Mg, TiB₂, AlB₁₂, MgB₂.
Application and development projects in collaboration with industry:
- AET, Tolmin: improvement of the wear resistance and cost reduction of the ceramics fabrication; development of the ceramic composites for the production of a new generation of glow plugs for Diesel engines
- MS Production, Bled: prototype ceramic braking discs with low thermal conductivity and good resistance to thermal shocks

J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Telephone: +386 1 477 39 00
info@ijs.si