Tecnologia dei Materiali

Main Research Activities

Hot Precision Forming. The research is focused on the study and development of innovative forming process with the aim to obtain near net shape components. Particular attention is paid to the reduction of the buy to fly ratio, i.e. the ratio between the weight of the final component and the weight of the initial raw material. The materials under investigation are the light alloys used in aeronautics: titanium alloys, magnesium alloys and aluminum alloys. The forming techniques investigated are:

  • Hot stretch forming
  • Hot forging
  • Superplastic forming

The research activities include both the experimental evaluation and the numerical modeling of the forming processes.

Advanced Joining Techniques. The joining of dissimilar materials and of materials difficult to weld with conventional technique is finding an increasing importance to produce mechanical components with improved performances. The research within this topic is focused on the following joining techniques:

  • Laser Beam Welding
  • Friction Stir Welding
  • Linear Friction Welding

Once again the materials under investigation are the light alloys used in aeronautics, particular attention is focused on the study of the mechanical and electrochemical proeprties of the joints after the welding processes. Experimental tests are carried out to find the relationship among the process parameters, the microstructure and the properties of the joints.

Coating and Repairing. The research activity is driven by the need to produce harder coatings on metallic components in order to improve the properties and the durability of the surfaces. With this aim two different technologies are studied:

  • Cold Spray Deposition Process
  • Thermophoresis

The research activity starts from the conceiving of the coating, then the coatings were produced in our labs and tested in order to study their properties.

Light Alloys Metallurgy. The research activity is focused on the study of the correlation among production process, mechanical properties and microstructure for light alloys. State of the art facilities are available in our labs and are used to study the metallurgical evolutions during the processing of metallic materials.

Hard Metals for Drilling. The drilling of mixed stacks made of titanium and carbon fibre reinforced plastics is a relevant issue in the aeronautic industry. The tools used are very expensive, on these premises the study of innovative materials and coatings for the tools is very important. The research is focused on the study of the hard metals compounds that are used to produce the tools, particular attention is paid on the study of superficial treatments that improve the wear performances of the tools.

Additive Manufacturing. The additive manufacturing is an emerging technology that allows to produce complex shaped components with a buy to fly ratio close to 1. The research activity is focused on the study of the correlation among process parameters, microstructure and mechanical properties of the components produced through this technique.  

Conventional and innovative composite laminates

Study about the low velocity impact behaviour of conventional and innovative composite laminates in extreme environment conditions.

Destructive and non destructive analysis for the damage evaluation. CAI (Compression After Impact) tests for the residual strenght prediction. Semi empirical and numerical models for the damage prediction and the influence of the involved impact parameters on the dynamic response of the laminates. Software: MSC Patran/Nastran, LS Dyna.

  • PROF. LUIGI CARRINO – Full Professor
  • PROF. ANTONINO SQUILLACE – Associate Professor
  • DR. UMBERTO PRISCO – Assistant Professor
  • DR. ANTONELLO ASTARITA – Assistant Professor
  • Prof. G. Caprino
  • Prof. A. Langella
  • Prof. V. Lopresto