Infrastructure

    Surface engineering laboratory

    Laboratorio de ingeniería de superficies

    The laboratory has a wide range of different surface technologies for developing coatings, surface treatments and surface modifications for different applications such as: tribological surfaces, anti-corrosion surfaces, protective surfaces, optical surfaces, omniphobic surfaces, functional surfaces and sensory surfaces; and for characterising the surfaces obtained.

    Description

    This infrastructure has the following equipment:

    • Cathodic spray system for physical vapour deposition (PVD): with direct current (DC), alternating current and at medium frequency (MF), as well as with high power impulses (HIPIMs).
    • Equipment for active plasma shielding or post-discharge: nitriding, nitrocarburising, post-oxidation, hollow cathode treatment and coating deposition, among others.
    • Equipment for plasma functionalisation and plasma polymer deposition.
    • Microwave plasma.
    • Dip-coating.

    Multi-purpose pilot plants:

    We have automatic pilot plants (10 l and 30 l tanks) for chemical conversion, coating, electroplating, anodising, polymer coating, surface cleaning, passivation and sol-gel technology.

    Equipment for characterisation:

    • Profilometer.
    • Equipment for scratch-resistance testing.
    • Equipment for ultra micro hardness testing.
    • Tribometers (POD Pin-On-Disk, alternatives – reciprocating – at different temperatures and in different environments).
    • Electro-tribometers.
    • Erosion tests.
    • Leakage tests.

    Aimed at:

    All industries that focus on solving industrial problems such as wear, erosion, ageing, corrosion and bio-fouling, and on improving the functional properties of materials and components (electrical contact resistance, optical properties, self-cleaning, anti-frost, anti-microbial, anti-fouling, among others).