The research is based on the characterization of metallic materials through high resolution electron microscopy and micro-analytical techniques. The investigated materials are mainly devoted to applications for energy production and components for high temperature and extreme conditions (Milan branch), and metal functional materials (Lecco branch).

The main areas of investigation developed in Milan branch in collaboration with companies, universities and other research centres, are focused on:

• Deformation structures after creep of steels and nickel based super-alloys for aerospace applications and energy production;
• Fine microstructures produced through rapid cooling and severe plastic deformations;
• Deformation structure, dynamic and static recrystallization through EBSD techniques
• W deposits to simulate the deposition of impurities from the plasma in ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor);
• Absorbing coatings produced through plasma spray deposition for millimetre waves.

The main areas of investigation developed by Lecco branch are focused on:

• Oriented microstructures produced through plastic deformation and heat treatments;
• Metallic alloys subjected to treatments with laser, surface modifications, cutting and welding;
• Microstructure of metallic alloys produced by unconventional synthetic techniques.

Single crystal Ni-based super-alloy: (a) as-received; (b) after 400 hours during creep at 1050°C and 150 MPa. - Milan research unit -

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EBSD orientation map of a stainless steel AISI 304 (a) before and (b) after post-processing analysis to determine and investigate grains. - Milan research unit