Due to the large developed expertise in the application of technical ceramics, ceramic composites and refractories for industrial needs, CSM is now acknowledged as a valuable link between the industrial world and the academic institutions in this area.
In this enviroment, CSM has developed its own competencies on the production bodies, namely:
- Preconsolidation processing:
- Dispersion and rheology of slurries;
- Green forming:
- Types and functions of additives and their removal;
- Dry pressing and unaxial dry pressing;
- Cold isostaic pressing;
- Slip casting
- Conventional consolidation methods:
- Solid state sintering in air, vacuum and controlled
- atmosphere;
- Gas pressure sintering (up to 10 MPa);
- Liquid phase sintering;
- Hot pressing
- Modern production methods:
- Reaction sintering;
- Spark plasma sintering.
The research activities of CSM are mainly focused on ceramics for high and ultra-high temperatures, and for operation under extremely harsh conditions (e.g., oxidative environment, wetting by liquid metals and alloys, interaction with liquid slags and molten rocks).
Example of the undertaken research activities are:
- Development of non-oxide ceramics and composites (SiC, Si3N4, SiAlON) for high temperature applications (e.g., molten metals and alloys);
- Development of electroconductive ceramics for furnaces;
- Development of lightweight thermal insulation;
- Development of UHTC materials for aero-space applications.