Research is our core mission — it’s what we do, and what we live for

In addition to our activities within our research laboratories and consortium facilities, our chair is involved in a range of focused research projects addressing current challenges in metallurgical engineering. These projects complement our broader research activities by exploring specific topics and developing targeted solutions in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Our current projects include:

 

METCOMP

METastable Solidification of Novel Peritectic Structures – Studies with TRANSparent Model Alloys

 

METCOMP investigates the fundamental mechanisms of peritectic solidification under diffusion-controlled conditions using the ESA-developed Transparent Alloys facility aboard the ISS. The project combines microgravity and ground-based experiments, in situ optical diagnostics, thermodynamic CALPHAD modeling, and numerical approaches to study the formation and evolution of complex layered microstructures.

A key focus is the transition toward peritectic coupled growth (PCG), where the peritectic and pro-peritectic phases grow competitively, forming transient structures such as patches, lamellae, and rods. The project also investigates the influence of temperature-gradient zone melting, grain-boundary migration, and intergranular diffusion on interface stability and microstructure evolution.

Overall, METCOMP provides new insights into multiphase solidification and microstructure formation, contributing to a deeper understanding of phenomena relevant to advanced metallic and functional materials.

 

Picture1
Experimental setup of the TRANSPARENT ALLOYS device on board the International Space Station and schematic 3D representation. (A) Bridgman furnace with a 7 mm adiabatic zone. (B) Schematic 3D representation of the glass sample containing the primary α phase as shown in A. The surface curvature is caused by a thermal bias, which enhances the visualization of the peritectic solidification patterns. The sketches are schematic illustrations intended to provide an overview rather than an exact representation. © SMMP
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Temporal evolution of the peritectic solidification patterns under µg-conditions. (A) A β-phase band initially forms and begins to overgrow the pri-mary α phase. (B) The ensuing competition between the two phases produces characteristic zig-zag patterns with alternating phase fractions at the solid/liquid surface, which ultimately evolve into (C) rod-like growth of the peritectic β phase. The sketches are schematic illustrations intended to provide an overview rather than an exact representation. © SMMP
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Peritectic solidification patterns under thermo-solutal convection in terrestrial conditions. (A) Peritectic coupled growth is initiated by the for-mation of a β-phase band. (B, C) Thermo-solutal convection and competitive phase growth produce characteristic tulip-like morphologies. (D) Ultimately, the primary phase dominates the microstructure, suppressing further growth of the peritectic phase. The sketches are schematic illustrations intended to provide an overview rather than an exact representation. © SMMP