Results of fundamental research done by IMP have wide application in actual practice

By Svetlana Sytina
The Ukrainian Times

The development of technologies of making materials with preset properties, particularly the Invar steel alloys containing some 36% of nickel that have a low coefficient of thermal expansion, is one of the most important lines of activity of the G.V. Kurdyumov Institute of Metal Physics (IMP) under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. However, using standard Invar alloys as structural materials is restricted because of their insufficient strength.

Applying their new technology, scientists of the Institute have obtained materials containing the much less amount of expensive nickel. Importantly, their research also resulted in the creation of materials with anti-Invar properties, which expand when a temperature goes up. In addition, this research serves as a basis for development of a device for testing materials for their thermal expansibility.

Another technology developed by researchers of the Institute enables the cost-effectiveness and streamlining of production of components from titanium alloys since it is geared to make titanium alloys by means of powder mixtures, as well as with the help of simple techniques of pressing and sintering.

Titanium is the unique material. Whereas the stress-strain properties of titanium are similar to those of steel, the former is two times lighter and has high resistance to corrosion. Given its biological inertness, titanium is used as the basis for making medical implants.

Furthermore, Ukrainian scientists are tackling the problem of methane emissions in coal mines. IMP experts worked out the technique of obtaining methane from mined coal. The technique enables further use of this coal, although it will burn with less heat. Meanwhile, researchers of the Institute of Mining Process Physics have designed a device for forecasting methane emissions.