The MATERALIA Group mainly aims the study and modeling of solid - solid phase transformations and optimisation of mechanical properties of steels both pure thermal and thermomechanically treated. Likewise, they are involved in fundamental research of Fe-base superalloys, and its possible applications to structural components, which development in Spain, and even in Europe, is rather limited as compared with the Steel.
In both types of alloys, the investigations made in the Group lead to the taylored design of materials, conceived in order to fulfill properties and established requirements "a priori" by the type of industrial application to which they are destined.Beside continuing with the efforts of theoretical investigation, that have given the scientific prestige at international level, it is the intention of this Group to maintain its traditional support to the national metallurgical industry, by means of the accomplishment of projects of applied investigation and technological development, in which the base of its scientific knowledge will be put to the service of the Spanish industry.
In both types of alloys, the investigations made in the Group lead to the taylored design of materials, conceived in order to fulfill properties and established requirements "a priori" by the type of industrial application to which they are destined.Beside continuing with the efforts of theoretical investigation, that have given the scientific prestige at international level, it is the intention of this Group to maintain its traditional support to the national metallurgical industry, by means of the accomplishment of projects of applied investigation and technological development, in which the base of its scientific knowledge will be put to the service of the Spanish industry.
Our current scientific objectives are:
- Help the steel industry address the decarbonisation of the sector in a hydrogen-based economy.
- Develop steels with simple and standardized chemical compositions, which have better recyclability and lower costs associated with the process of extraction of alloying elements and their separation. Following this philosophy, the effort for the optimization of mechanical and service properties falls mainly on microstructural design.
- Promote additive manufacturing, a smart and sustainable way to manufacture components and material structures for application in energy, transport, and health.
- Transfer knowledge to the industry to implement new processes of formability such as Press hardening, Hot/Warm metal forming), for its high energy efficiency. For this it is necessary to deepen the development of a new generation of steels with a medium/high Mn content.
- Develop new steels for transport, manufactured with zero emissions, resistant, light, and capable of absorbing the energy generated as a result of an impact.
- Develop advanced steels of ultra-high strength for bearings and gearboxes for wind turbines.
- Develop new materials resistant to high temperatures and aggressive environments to increase the efficiency of energy production systems with low CO2 emissions.