Laboratory for Ceramics
The Laboratory for Ceramics is dedicated to the preparation, processing and characterization of advanced ceramic materials. It provides infrastructure for powder processing, shaping, sintering, thermal treatment and sample preparation, complemented by techniques for structural, mechanical and surface characterization.
Research in the laboratory focuses on understanding and controlling the relationship between processing, microstructure and the properties of ceramic materials. The facilities support the development and optimization of ceramics for a range of advanced technological applications.
Related equipment
Zeta potential analyzer (Brookhaven Instruments Corporation, Zeta PALS)
Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej
Measuring both particle size and zeta potential in solution.
Technical details
- Effective range for particle sizing is 2nm – 3um
- Measurements can be made in a variety of media.
Charpy impact tester (HST Group, HST-XJJ-5M)
Person responsible: Jošt Oblak
Impact test machine measures the impact strenght of materials by determining the energy absorbed during fracture of a specimen.
Technical details
- Pendulum hammers: 1 J, 2 J, 4 J, and 5 J
- Testing methods: Charpy and Izod impact testing
- Specimen support: Standard and custom specimen geometries
Ultrasonic Cleaner Bath (Elma Schmidbauer GmbH, Elmasonic P60H)
Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej
The Elma Ultrasonic Cleaner P60H is used for efficient cleaning and dispersing of materials using ultrasonic cavitation. It removes contaminants from surfaces while also enabling mixing, dissolving, and dispersion of samples, including difficult-to-dissolve substances and nanoparticles.
-Used with-
The Elma Mutebox ML
Used as a noise-reduction enclosure for ultrasonic cleaners, enabling quiet and safe cleaning or sample preparation. It significantly reduces noise and removes vapors, creating a comfortable and controlled working environment.
Technical details
- Two adjustable frequencies: 37 kHz and 80 kHz
- Temperature: up to 80°C
- Operating modes: pulse, sweep and degas mode Power Regulation 30-100%
Planetary Ball Mill (Retsch, PM 200)
Person responsible: Dr. Uroš Hribar
Grinding and milling.
Technical details
- 2 grinding jars
- Volume 12ml-125mL
- 650RPM
- 0.1µm finess
Hot press (Rittal, TRG1)
Person responsible: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Srečo Davor Škapin
For hot pressing and/or low temperature high pressure sintering of ceramics.
Technical details
- 10mm diameter die
- 350°C max temperature
Automatic sifter (Endecotts, Octagon 200)
Person responsible: Dr. Uroš Hribar
Automatic sifting of powders.
Technical details
- 8 sieves from 500μm to 20μm
- 200 mm diamater
- Suitable for dry and wet sievin
Turbula mixer (WAB, T2F)
Person responsible: Dr. Mario Kurtjak
3D shaker mixer.
Technical details
- 23-100 RPM
- Maximum container diameter 130mm
- Maximum container height 200mm
Ultrasonic processor (Hielscher, UP100H)
Person responsible: Joyal Johny
For homogenization, emulsification, dispersion and ultrasonic processing.
Technical details
- 100W
- 30kHz
- rated for continuous operation
Tube furnace (Protherm, ASP 11/150/500)
Person responsible: Dr. Jakob König
Tube furnace for processing of ceramics, glass and other materials. Suitable for larger samples (tube diameter 11 cm). Temperature in the range of 600-1000 °C. Enables control of the atmosphere.
Grinder (Struers, Rotopol 21)
Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej
For metallographic preparation of samples.
Technical details
- Rotation speed: 150 and 300 rpm
Polisher (Struers, Labopol 6)
Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej
For metallographic preparation of samples.
Technical details
- Rotation speed: 200 – 1200 rpm
Precision saw (Struers, Minitom)
Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej
A small, low-speed, automatic precision cutting machine for sectioning delicate materialographic workpieces that can’t tolerate the heat generated by high-speed cutting. The gravity feed design allows for sectioning of various material types, with high accuracy and reproducibility.
Technical details
- Workpieces up to 30 x 40 mm
- Accuracy of +0.01 mm
- CBN and diamond cut-off wheels 75-125 mm (3-5’’)