The scope of conducted research
The research carried out by the employees of the Department includes in particular: electrochemical phenomena and processes, the basics of corrosion and protection against corrosion, material engineering, and physical chemistry of the surface. At the Department of Electrochemistry, Corrosion and Materials Science, a number of directions related to basic research as well as technical and technological research are carried out. The main areas of scientific activity are: research on the mechanism and kinetics of corrosion processes, the use of modern electrochemical techniques in corrosion tests, monitoring and diagnostics of corrosion processes, electrochemical tests and selection in terms of anti-corrosion properties of new materials, coating corrosion protection technologies, inhibitory corrosion protection systems, the role of microstructure in the initiation of corrosion processes.
In addition, the Department of Electrochemistry, Corrosion and Materials Science focuses on research into low-temperature fuel cells. The implementation of modern electrochemical techniques in the field of research on hydrogen-powered cells and liquid hydrogen carriers such as methanol is one of the main research directions carried out in the center.
Cooperation with economic units
Cooperation with economic units is one of the priorities of the Department's activities. We have been cooperating with the largest domestic concerns for years. In the fuel sector, we cooperate with with Grupa Lotos, PKN Orlen, PERN "Przyjaźń", Naftoport and Rafineria Trzebinia. In the energy sector, we cooperate with with Kozienice Power Plant, Bełchatów Power Plant, Tauron S.A., and Polskie Sieci Energetyczne. In the water and sewage sector, we cooperate with with SAUR Neptun Gdańsk, Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągowo-Kanalizacyjny in Kraków, Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągowo-Kanalizacyjny in Warsaw, and the Gdańsk Water and Sewage Infrastructure. The department also carries out technological research work for small and medium-sized enterprises of various profiles. So far (i.e. since 1996) we have carried out over 300 research works.
Services and expertise offered
We carry out research in the entire field of corrosion and corrosion protection. We specialize in cathodic protection of underground and underwater installations and facilities, assessment of the corrosive impact of stray currents and modeling in electrochemical protection. An important issue is the selection and testing of painting sets used in particularly aggressive corrosive environments. We offer expert opinions on the current condition of coatings, causes of damage to coatings and forecasting the actual operating time. The diagnosis of corrosion damage is the basic step in the elimination of corrosion processes. In this field, we have great achievements, in particular in pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, corrosion cracking, fatigue corrosion, erosion-cavitation corrosion, selective corrosion. We offer maintenance-free digital corrosion monitoring systems that allow for rational corrosion management. Our offer includes the selection and evaluation of corrosion inhibitors, full metallographic analysis, microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of the surface.
Implementation research
The Department conducts industrial research in cooperation with various economic units in the field of corrosion monitoring and diagnostics, electrochemical protection as well as anti-corrosion coatings and linings. An important element of cooperation is the detection and analysis of electromagnetic fields, new structures of the Cathodic Protection Station (SOK) and the ongoing assessment of the condition of coatings and linings.