High Temperature Protection
This multidisciplinary area, encompassing high-temperature corrosion, erosion-corrosion and wear protection, focuses on the role of oxide scales in the protection of high-temperature alloys, composites, ceramics and coatings. Mechanisms of growth, protective properties, and breakdown in aggressive conditions, including complex, impure environments, with very high temperatures and external stresses, have been determined. These are relevant to waste-to-energy systems, petrochemical plant, gas turbines, metals extraction and processing plant, and clean coal power technologies. Use of realistic test and simulation facilities, with electron-optical and surface-analytical probing, has allowed scientific underpinning of the selection of materials and corrosion-management criteria for efficient and environmentally-friendly industrial processes. The Group's expertise is also directed at development of surface coatings for materials protection under very hostile conditions. A detailed scientific understanding of the degradation mechanisms for furnace lining refractories has led to development of methods of laser treatment for improved protection; there is increased understanding of the role of oxide scales on adhesion of thermal barrier coatings to turbine alloys as well as materials solutions to metal dusting in advanced petrochemical plant.
Currently active research areas include:
- High-Temperature Degradation and Protection
- Laser Surface Engineering
- Corrosion Control in Light Alloys