Workshops, Research, R&D Offer

Laboratories and research

The Department has a developed research base which includes: Model Research Laboratory, Metallurgical Processes Laboratory, Corrosion and Protective Coatings Laboratory, Bonding Technology Laboratory, Hydrometallurgy and Biometallurgy Laboratory, Chemical Analysis Laboratory, Thermal Analysis Laboratory, and the Laboratory of Additive Manufacturing.

Area of scientific and research activities - key research directions

Issues related to hydrometallurgy and recovery of metals (Cu, In, PGM, Li, Co, Mn) from waste raw materials (PCB, Li-ion batteries, LCD screens, car catalytic converters) and biohydrometallurgy using the potential of microorganisms in metallurgical processes.
Recovery of selected metals by hydrometallurgy.
Refining of aluminum by barbotage.
Modeling of steelmaking processes.
Conducting scientific research in the field of advanced metallurgical processes.
Specialization in experimental modeling (using physical models) and numerical modeling of hydrodynamic phenomena occurring during the implementation of industrial processes, especially metallurgical processes (continuous casting of steel and flow in steel ladles, various types of metallurgical reactors, etc.).
Research on flows in isothermal and non-isothermal systems and hydrodynamics of multiphase flows, e.g. liquid-gas.
Issues related to the innovative method of refining liquid steel from the dispersive non-metallic phase by filtration with multi-hole ceramic filters.
Kinetics of solidification and structure of steel ingot.
Recycling of metals and materials with particular emphasis on the technology and methods of SWE (end-of-life vehicles) management in the European Union countries.
Development of technology for welding materials (TIG, MIG, MAG, SAW welding methods).
Development of technology for joining plastics.
Development of gluing technology.
Non-destructive testing: VT1+2, MT1+2, PT1+2, RT1+2, UT1+2.
Portable hardness tester (HV) measurements.
Macro and micrographic assessment of welded, welded and brazed joints.
Assessment of mechanical properties of joints.
Preparation and development of test and inspection plans for welded structures.
Selection of materials and technologies for manufacturing welded structures.
Supervision of the production process of welded structures.
Determination of the causes of destruction (structure damage and analysis of repair possibilities.
Assessment of the resistance of materials to high-temperature corrosion.
Tests of the application of anti-corrosion coatings, resistant to tribological wear, thermal barriers and protective layers using the methods of immersion metallization, thermal diffusion, thermal spray and surfacing.
Tests of resistance to electrochemical corrosion, resistance to oxidation and high-temperature corrosion and assessment of the functional properties of protective coatings and layers.
Constituting protective layers and coatings on structural elements, shaping their microstructure and properties.
Development of new coating materials and optimization of their production technology.
Analysis and optimization of industrial coating processes using the methods of immersion metallization, thermal diffusion, thermal spray and surfacing.
Development of innovative technologies that optimize the quality and efficiency of production, consumption of materials and raw materials, etc.
Recovery of basic and precious metals from semi-finished products, industrial waste, post-consumer waste using the methods of pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and vacuum processes.
Refining of metals using electrorefining and vacuum processes.
Thermogravimetric analysis.
Analysis of wear processes of machine parts.
Coatings produced by thermal spraying and surfacing methods.
Coatings protecting machine parts and installations against abrasive and corrosive wear (including at high temperatures up to 1900°C).
Fluropolymer chemical-resistant and anti-adhesive coatings.
Research, selection, optimization and diagnostics of the above coatings.
Research of the microstructure of metals and their alloys.
Thermal analysis (TG, DTA, DSC).
Metal-based composites.
Design of processes and apparatuses for the chemical and related industries, in the scope of: heat exchange, heat recuperation, densification, cooling of circulating waters, purification of exhaust gases.
Analysis of energy consumption of processes, performing mass and energy balances, associating energy processes in order to increase their efficiency.
Analysis of problems related to fuel combustion processes, use of alternative fuels, environmental protection.
Analysis of the possibilities of using carbon reducers and bioreducers in the ferroalloy and related industries.
Design and 3D printing.

Laboratory (workshops) and equipment base - information on available research infrastructure and specialist equipment

Corrosion and Protective Coatings Research Laboratory

Salt chamber CORROTHERM - 610 Erichsen.
Koesternich chamber HYGROTHERM - 519 Erichsen.
Laboratory stand for immersion metallization.
Stand for high-temperature corrosion testing.

Chemical Analysis Laboratory

Optical spectrometer for measuring and identifying elements in the sample matrix based on the ionization of elements in the sample - ICP_PRO X Duo S/N ICAPPRO10652.

Model Research Workshop

Module for precise control of liquid (water) flow in/out in the range of 10 to 42 l/min, (water plus marker) in the range of 1 to 23 l/min with the possibility of continuous data recording equipped with a multi-channel controller/signal recorder - MultiCon CMC, AR642 APAR.
Module for precise control of gas (air) flow in the range of 0.5 to 30 l/min with the possibility of continuous data recording equipped with a multi-channel controller/signal recorder - MultiCon CMC.
Module for continuous recording of measurement signals in/out. (changes in electrical conductivity of the liquid) – equipped with a multi-channel signal recorder - MultiCon CMC and a set of conductometric conductivity sensors (GCT20K and MOSTEC M3836 enabling measurement in the range of 20-5000 µS (20µS - 20000µS).
Segmented physical model of the COS device (tundish, crystallizer) with the possibility of using different models of tundish ladles from 1 to 6 outlets.
Universal physical model of the station for blowing steel with inert gases in a steel ladle - with the possibility of testing various types of industrial gas-permeable shapes.
Physical model of the station for blowing steel with gases in a steel ladle - with the possibility of simultaneously blowing the bath through one, two or three gas-permeable shapes installed in the bottom of the model.
Physical model of the station for blowing steel with inert gases with the possibility of using high flow rates gas.
Physical model of a combined blowing oxygen converter.
Model of the RH device.
Model of the URO 200 batch refining reactor with equipment enabling the use of various types of rotors equipped with precise control and measurement equipment.
Model of the URC 7000 continuous refining reactor with control and measurement equipment.
Module for recording and analyzing 4K images in Full HD mode.

Joining Technology Workshop

TIG, MIG, MAG, SAW welding equipment.
VT1+2, MT1+2, PT1+2, RT1+2, UT1+2 testing equipment.
Portable ultrasonic hardness tester.
Metallographic testing laboratory equipped with a stereoscopic and light microscope.
JEOL JCM-6000 scanning electron microscope.
High-temperature corrosion testing station up to 1200°C in an atmosphere of aggressive gases.

Hydrometallurgy and Biometallurgy Laboratory

Chemical reactor with thermostat for leaching.
SONOPULS ultrasonic homogenizer.
Korona L Spalab ozone generator.
Zeiss Axio Imager biological microscope.
Acidithiobacillus bacteria.
RedLine laboratory dryer.
Elpin 358A laboratory shaker.
Rocker, Chemker 300 vacuum pump.
Elkon laboratory incubator.
Mixers, shakers, laboratory scales, physicochemical parameter meters.

Other equipment

Netzsch STA449 Jupiter F3 thermal analyzer.
Czylok resistance chamber and pit furnaces, maximum operating temperature 1500°C.
SecoWarwick induction vacuum furnace, maximum operating temperature 1800°C.
Open induction furnace with a capacity of max. 1.5 kg of metallic charge materials.
Netzsch thermal analyzer, maximum operating temperature 1500°C.
Laboratory electrolyzer.
Devices for testing selected functional properties of coatings, the tests consist of performing comparative wear tests in specific or model conditions of corrosive, abrasive and erosive wear and combined processes also at elevated temperatures up to 850°C.
Devices for producing coatings using flame, arc, supersonic and Cold Spray thermal spraying methods, as well as gas, arc and plasma surfacing.
Devices for diagnostics of coatings and protective layers, using destructive and non-destructive methods. Destructive tests include assessment of the structure of coatings, their adhesion to the substrate, microhardness, porosity, while non-destructive tests include visual assessment, thickness, hardness and tightness measurements.
CNC PRO LEAD 1010 milling plotter.
3D printers (FDM and DLP/LCD).

Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Laboratory (didactic)

Research and Development Services (R&D) – Offer of Available Services

Carrying out tests of corrosion resistance of metals and alloys, coatings and anti-corrosion protection in accordance with the PN EN ISO 9227 standard (tests in neutral salt mist) and PN EN ISO 6988 (tests in a humid atmosphere containing sulfur compounds), as well as protective layers in high-temperature corrosion conditions.
Diagnostics in the field of electrochemical and chemical corrosion, research and assessment of the causes of corrosion damage, scientific and technical expertise in the field of quality and wear of coatings obtained by immersion metallization, thermal diffusion and thermal spraying and padded layers, as well as optimization of industrial processes for their production.
Carrying out chemical analyses in the field of selected chemical elements.
Tests of rotors of various types (aluminum refining by barbotage).
Selection of process parameters for a given type of rotors (aluminum refining by barbotage).
Design and testing of the effectiveness of devices controlling the flow in the tundish (dams, weirs, baffles, underflow plates, turbulence regulators, etc.).
Testing the functionality of industrial gas-permeable shapes of various designs used for mixing and refining liquid materials, in particular steel, installed both in steel ladles and in the tundishes of the COS device.
Testing the functionality of porous materials used to build gas-permeable shapes.
Design and testing of innovative design solutions for the equipment of metallurgical reactors.
Correction and determination of optimal process parameters used in steel metallurgical reactors.
Steel refining - improving the metallurgical purity of steel by filtration.
Issues related to determining the yield of steel smelted in electric furnaces (the effect of scrap class on the yield of steel from the melt).
Selection of joining technology: welding, brazing, soldering and gluing of metals and plastics.
Selection and optimization of welding parameters.
Supervision of welding production.
Material and technological tests of the causes of destruction and failure of structures and installations.
Non-destructive tests at the customer's facility.
Assessment of resistance to high-temperature corrosion in aggressive exhaust atmospheres.
Prototyping.
Research on bioleaching of industrial and electronic waste: development of bioleaching methods based on the use of microorganisms such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Optimization of bioleaching process parameters in terms of specific requirements of waste materials, use of bioleaching in recycling metals from e-waste.
Metal leaching research: development of chemical leaching technology (acid, alkaline, oxidizing and reducing) for selective extraction of valuable elements.
Comprehensive approach to recycling metals from waste: combining bioleaching with other technologies, such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy.
Guidelines for modernization of industrial installations in the field of energy recovery from post-process gases,
Energy audits of parts and entire installations.
Association of technological processes in order to reduce their energy consumption.
Preparation of opinions on the innovativeness of installations for the production of electricity and hot water.
Analysis of the possibilities of using alternative energy sources.
Research on the processes of smelting, remelting and refining of metals and alloys, including in vacuum conditions.
Research on the processes of electrolysis and electrorefining of metals at variable current densities.
Thermogravimetric studies of materials in solid and liquid states in oxidizing, reducing and neutral atmospheres.
Analysis of wear processes of machine and device parts.
Development of technological solutions for machine parts that increase their durability and reduce operating costs.
Research and assessment of the quality of coatings and surface layers.
Development of technological assumptions for new solutions in the field of surface engineering.
Research of the microstructure of metals and their alloys.
Thermal analysis (TG, DTA, DSC) up to 1500°C
Design of technologies.

Area of research and development activities RM2_2025 ... Download

Area of ​​scientific and research activities - key research directions

Laboratory (workshops) and equipment base - information on available research infrastructure and specialist equipment

Research and Development Services (R&D) – Offer of Available Services

Area of scientific and research activities - key research directions