Foundry and Heat treatments

Research topics of the Group are the foundry and the heat treatments of metal products. The foundry is investigated from both metallurgical and technological point of view, through the study of alloys (conventional or of new composition), of melting, of the treatment of the liquid metal, of solidification and of the properties of the castings (mechanical, resistance to wear, corrosion and cavitation), of their pre and post treatments, with the aim of determining the correlation between performance and quality of the component according to the specific casting process. Innovative casting processes (e.g. semi-solid, hybrid / liquid Al forging, etc.) are of particular interest of the Research Group. The study of heat treatments of metal components (ferrous and non-ferrous) is also addressed in order to optimize the process parameters according to the expected properties, thus evaluating the effects on the microstructure and consequent performance, and also analyzing innovative treatments such as quanching under pressure, spray quenching, etc. The numerous collaborations with local and national companies interested in investigating and optimizing their production, as well as with industrial associations, have long been leading to the development of various degree and doctoral theses, research grants, contracts and funded research projects, as well as to scientific publications.