The Materials Innovation Centre (MatIC) – a long-term strategic partnership between TWI and the University of Leicester– is at the forefront of metallic materials research into how properties and performance relate to the processing-dependent microstructures. MatIC is also developing computational models to relate microstructure to properties and performance.
To celebrate Corrosion Awareness Day 2024, MatIC has organised a webinar to highlight the issues associated with mitigating corrosion, and demonstrate how the Centre is responding to these through research and development (R&D) projects that offer a range of solutions to industry. Presenters from MatIC will discuss environmentally responsible alternatives to zinc electro-deposition, the testing of coatings for offshore applications, and understanding the corrosion behaviour of thermally sprayed aluminium in sea water.
We are also delighted to confirm as guest speaker, Noémie Ott, Principal Engineer at OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, and Chair of Young European Federation of Corrosion (YEFC).
Who should attend?
All are welcome but the webinar content is particularly suited to corrosion and/or materials engineers, and chemical engineers and chemists, working in industries that are impacted by corrosion.
Free to attend: pre-registration required.
Speakers
Dr Shiladitya Paul
Research & Product Development Programme Manager, Surface, Corrosion and Interface Engineering
TWI Ltd
Shiladitya joined TWI in 2008 after a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy from the University of Cambridge, UK, and subsequently became the Director of MatIC in January 2018. He is an innovative technology specialist with experience in the industrial development and application of specialised materials, coatings, and corrosion mitigation methods. He has published over 100 papers/articles on materials, coatings and corrosion. Shiladitya is active in the scientific community as a peer reviewer and member of the editorial team for several journals, and on a number of international, scientific and industrial committees, including holding the positions of Vice Chair of the European Federation of Corrosion (WP9), Chair of the 2023/24 symposium on Thermal and Cold Spray Coatings at AMPP Annual Conference, and a member, and judge, of the Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (JTST), Best Paper Award committee. He is a registered Chartered Engineer (CEng) in the UK, and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM).
Irmak Kockan
Innovation Consultancy Manager, TIM
TWI
Irmak has 17 years’ work experience, managing innovation and research activities within top conglomerate groups, in a wide range of industries. Her activities are focused on engaging with various stakeholders, including SMEs, RTOs, academia and commercial organisations, to support them with their innovation and technology acceleration needs. Her expertise spans technology and innovation strategy, research and development, and portfolio management including technology road mapping and foresight, intellectual property rights (IPR) and funding mechanisms.
Adamantini Loukodimou
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Adamantini’s presentation shows part of her experimental work that was undertaken for the purposes of her PhD research. In the atmospheric zone of offshore wind turbines, due to the lack of continuous electrolyte (seawater), cathodic protection is not efficient, hence corrosion protection based on multilayer systems is a suggested solution. This experimental work focuses on the development of systems, consisting of thermal spray and organic coatings loaded with corrosion inhibitors. The results of the tests that took place in salt spray chamber and real marine environments provide useful information regarding the efficiency of the suggested systems.
Adriana Castro Vargas
Doctoral Researcher
MatIC
Thermal spray aluminium (TSA) based coating systems are increasingly used in marine environments to prevent corrosion. As these coatings become more common, it is important to have a fundamental understanding of how they work. TSA coatings are typically more galvanically active than steel in sea water and are often referred to as sacrificial coatings. However, TSA coatings are complex due to several factors, including porosity, anodic tendency, roughness, among others; therefore, understanding the corrosion behaviour of TSA is a challenging topic to study. In her presentation, Adriana will provide an overview of MatIC's experience, and discuss the essential and complementary techniques for assessing TSA coatings. Additionally, the effect of flow on TSA corrosion behaviour will be explained in more detail.
Dr Kranthi Maniam
Research Fellow
MatIC
Metallic zinc coatings are vital in industries like transportation, safeguarding mechanical components such as fasteners and brake calipers from corrosion. However, traditional aqueous solutions used in zinc electrodeposition pose environmental and safety risks due to toxicity, corrosiveness, and potential hydrogen embrittlement. The INHALE project investigates halide-free ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents and organic solutions for zinc and zinc alloy electrodeposition, aiming to develop environmentally friendly electrolytes. These coatings are essential for corrosion resistance and reducing material usage in lightweight structures. Research includes evaluating coating properties, electrolyte conditions and the impact of various non-aqueous electrolytes on deposition processes. Emphasis lies on environmental impact, corrosion resistance, scalability, and cost analysis, showcasing the project's contribution to eco-friendly zinc electrodeposition solutions.
