The European Ceramic Society

Laboratory sheet

Austria

Lehrstuhl für Gesteinshüttenkunde – Montanuniversitaet Leoben

Chair of Ceramics

Director : Prof. Harald HARMUTH

Email : harald.harmuth@unileoben.ac.at

Phone : +43 3842 402 3201

Address : Franz Josef-Strasse 18, 8700 LEOBEN

Research topics :

With respect to materials the scope of the chair of ceramics comprises ordinary ceramic refractories, slags, mineral binders, concrete, glass, and non refractory ceramics with a main focus on refractories slags and melts, mineral binders and building materials. With respect to methods applied, research concentrates on microstructural characterization, determination of properties (mechanical and fracture mechanical properties, properties of melts and slags), failure analysis, simulation of thermomechanical material behavior, CFD simulation and thermochemical calculation.

Selected topics: 

  • Thermomechanical material models for ordinary ceramic refractories.
  • Simulation of refractory lining behavior and design.
  • DE simulation of ordinary ceramic structures.
  • Nonoxides for refractory applications.
  • Corrosion of refractory components in slags.
  • CFD simulation assisting investigations of slag/refractory and slag/steel interaction.
  • Alternative mineral hydraulic binders.

Exceptional facilities :

High temperature fracture mechanical testing equipment; uniaxial high temperature compressive and tensile creep testing; high temperature dissolution testing device; Double/Single Hot Thermocouple Technique for investigation of slag crystallization; hot stage microscopy.

Financial support programmes :

  • European fundings: ETN ATHOR
  • National fundings: COMET (K1 Met, K2 IC-MPPE)

Latest news

YCN Newsletter 27 - YCN Committee member - Welcome to Aleksandra Milojkovic

It is a true honor to introduce myself as the new Committee Member of the Young Ceramists Network.

Jun 26, 2025
YCN Newsletter 27 - Expert opinion - Nicola Döbelin, PhD

Why Crystal Structure Matters: Decoding the Performance of Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials

In the world of calcium phosphate biomaterials, crystal structure is often the silent driver behind a material’s success—or failure. Whether we are developing bone graft substitutes or studying bioceramic interactions at the tissue interface, understanding the underlying crystal lattice isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Jun 24, 2025

Information

Contact us for any information: info@ecers.org - We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

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ECerS coordinates and promotes the study of ceramics through the following actions :

ECerS office

Av. Gouverneur Cornez , 4

7000 Mons

Belgium

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