Laboratory sheet

Research topics :

• Processing and characterisation of multifunctional materials: colloidal or conventional powder metallurgical processing of monoliths, composites, gradient materials and laminates based on oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides as well as ceramic-metal composites (such as ZrO2-TiN (-TiCN, -NbC, -WC), WC-Co, TiCN-Ni, NbC-Ni, …). Microstructural, mechanical and functional characterisation and evaluation. 
• Development, characterisation and evaluation of biomaterials: zirconia, ZTA, ATZ, HA, calcium phosphates, bioactive glass, amorphous silica for controlled release, etc. 
• Colloidal processing of inorganic materials: electrophoretic deposition of free-standing objects, coatings, laminates and gradient materials, as well as for surface functionalisation.
• Additive manufacturing of materials: Direct ink writing (DIW) and stereolithography (SLA) of ceramics and cermets. Selective laser melting (SLM) and sintering (SLS) of ceramics in collaboration with the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven.
• Advanced sintering technologies and modelling: Conventional and hybrid spark plasma sintering, hot pressing, microwave and hybrid microwave sintering.
• Dedicated powder preparation: Synthesis of oxides, carbides, borides, ternary carbides, … by means of sol-gel synthesis, mechanical alloying, carbo- and borothermal synthesis, reaction synthesis, molten salt synthesis, …
• Processing and characterisation of MAX, MAB and MXene materials: Reactive hot pressing, reactive spark plasma sintering, molten salt synthesis, etc.
• Materials for dental applications: In close collaboration with the BIOMAT research cluster of KU Leuven.
• Machining of ceramics: In collaboration with the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. Electrical discharge machining, ELID & conventional grinding, ultrasonic machining, hard machining, laser structuring, etc.

Contact information:

Prof. Dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels

Tel : +32 16 321244

Jozef.vleugels@kuleuven.be

 
       Dr. ir. Shuigen Huang (research expert)

       Tel : +32 16 32 1777

       Shuigen.huang@kuleuven.be

Contact information:

Prof. Dr. ir. Annabel Braem

Tel : +32 16 321534

Annabel.braem@kuleuven.be

 
       Dr. ir. Fei Zhang (FWO-fellow)

       Tel : +32 16 37 7738

       Fei.zhang@kuleuven.be