The Department of Materials Engineering, or formerly known as The Department of Silicate industry, was founded in 1951 as the first department in Hungary dedicated to the field of silicate chemistry and technologies.
Our department still to this day holds a leading role in the fields of education and research of classic silicate industry products (ceramics, glasses, binders). The family of structural materials expanded so explosively, that it brought significant changes to the profile of our department, the research and education of technical ceramics, technical glasses, composites, nano-materials and special binders come into prominence more and more at our department.
The Department of Materials Engineering is responsible for the materials engineering BSc and MSc degrees.
Research topics:
Bioceramics, bioglass ceramics:
Substituting some parts or functions of the human body with human bone structure like calcium-phosphate based ceramics. The creation of such implants which are capable of coadunating with the human bone structure, from animal bones and bioglass frit.
Furthermore, the scope of the research also includes the creation and investigation of hydroxyapatite nanocomposites that possess magnetic properties.
Ceramic superconductors
Lossless electric conductivity, creating strong magnetic fields, levitating, with the utilization of Y-Ba-Cu-oxide superconductors.
Ceramic paints
The substituting of high lead content paints with the mixing of reduced lead content paints. To achieve a given shade the mixture of paints containing different compositions of pigments.
Alkali-activated cements
Alkali-activated cements are a substitute for the classic cements as a new group of binders. Part of our research are the creation of high surface area catalyst carriers produced from alternative raw materials, also the creation of alkali-activated cement composites.
Waste management technologies
From natural, industrial and construction waste materials the creation of thermal insulators, and the usage of alternative waste materials with mechano-chemical actication.
Classic cements
The usage of pozzolanic and waste materials in classics cements in order to make them more economical and environmentally friendly.
Kaolinite nanotubes
The development of new types of environmentally friendly nanocomposites with the application of kaolinite nanotubes produced by solvothermal method.
Classic ceramics
The manufacturing and research of classics- and technical ceramics, conventional and special glasses, -binders, including the development of thermal shock resistant ceramics, the research of possible methods to produce silicate based non-organic polymers, and the utilization of waste materials in industrial applications.
Solar cells that can be integrated into building materials
In our new laboratory we simulate and research the external effects on solar panels and the effect they have on their efficiency. The aim of this research is the estimation and prolonging of the solar panel’s life expectancy.
3D printing
The printing of composite material systems using different methods. In this research the opportunity to investigate the effect of additives on the final product’s mechanical properties is possible. With the use of X-ray computed tomography we can 3D print biocompatible products with the chosen bone structure.
Other research areas
With the use of light microscopy, electron microscopy (morphology, microstructure, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron microscopy phase analysis) and X-ray tomography the research of the relation between microstructure and properties.
APPARATUSES
CHNS analyzer (Carlo-Erba 110)
To determine the carbon-, hydrogen-, oxygen- and sulfur content of materials.
XRF (PANalytical MiniPal 4)
To determine the composition of materials and also its quantity.
UV/VIS spectrophotometer (PERKIN-ELMER)
Required for analytical investigations, mainly used for the determination of concentration of different metal-ions.
X-ray diffractometer (Philips PW 3710)
To determine the phase composition of crystalline materials and also its quantity. It is also equipped with a heating- and stress-measuring unit.
Derivatograph (Q-1500 D MOM)
To analyze the weight loss and heat capacity change of different materials during heating.
Light microscope (KEYENCE VHX 2000)
Capable of constructing 3D pictures with extra high depth of field with a 1000 times magnifying capability.
Scanning electron microscope (FEI/Thermofischer Apreo S; Philips XL 30 ESEM)
To analyze micro structures in classic or ambient (low vacuum) working conditions.
Capable of elemental analysis with an Edax-Ametek unit (EDX).
X-ray computed tomograph (Nikon XT H 225 ST)
Several parameters can be measured with a single test period, the measured results are both accurate and traceable.
Colorimeter (KonicaMinolta CM3600d)
To determine the color coordinates of different materials.
Micro hardness tester (Wolpert402M/VD)
To determine the Vickers micro hardness of structural materials.
Heating microscope for up to 2000 °C (Leitz, Zeitz)
To investigate the different processes that takes place while materials are heated such as gas formation, melting, wetting, contact angle, et cetera.
Laser particle size analyzer (Fritsch Analysette 22 Next Nano)
To determine the particle size distribution of powder like materials in the 0,01 – 3800 µm range.
Dilatometer for up to 1600 °C (THETA Dilatronic)
To determine the linear thermal expansion coefficient of structural materials.
CONTROLS Automax5
To determine the standardized compressive- and flexural strength of binders.
INSTRON (250 kN)
To determine the compressive-, flexural- and tensile strength of materials, in the 0 – 250 kN range.
NETZSCH HFM 436/3/1 Lambda
To determine the heat transfer coefficient of heat insulation materials in accordance with various standards in the 0,002 – 2 W/mK range, with samples varying in size from 100mm x 100mm to 305mm x 305mm and thickness from 5 to 100 mm.
C-Therm TCiTM (with thermographic camera)
To determine the heat transfer coefficient of any material rapidly (several minutes) in a small contact area and a wide range (0,002 – 120 W/mK).
Tribometer (Anton Paar, TRB3)
To investigate the mechanics of friction and wear in different strain tests.