(The head of the laboratory – Professor G. Oniashvili, Doctor of Engineering Science)

The main area of research of the laboratory is designing energy-efficient environmentally friendly technologies for producing materials by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS). The technology allows obtaining materials possessing unique properties with low energy consumption and using simple equipment.

Laboratory Personnel:

1. G. Oniashvili _ Head of Laboratory

2. Z. Aslamazishvili  _ Chief Researcher

3. G. Zakharov  _ Chief Researcher

4. G. Mikhaberidze _ Senior Researcher

5. N. Iakobidze _ Engineer

6. M. Khvadagiani _ Engineer

7. M. Chikhradze _ Engineer

8. G. Urushadze _ Laboratory Assistant

Designed technologies:

SHS technologies for obtaining refractory materials - molybdenum and molybdenum carbide - basing on the silicides - from Chiatura-Sachkhere sands and carbon-free ferromanganese - from Chiatura manganese ores.

Technology has been developed for obtaining inter-metallic compounds in a SHS-thermal explosion regime. It allows obtaining single-phase inter-metallic compounds possessing unique properties, as well as nanostructured products that can not be achieved through the existing conventional methods.

In case of using B¹⁰ isotope-containing compounds as the heat source of the thermal explosion mode, light, non-porous and wear resistant materials are obtained that also have anti-radiation properties and are potentially highly applicable in aviation and space engineering.

A unique installation has been built for obtaining single-phased nanostructure inter-metallic compounds.

Products made from single-phased inter-metallic compounds

• SHS technologies for the manufacture of composite, ceramic and metal-ceramic materials have been developed. High temperature superconducting ceramic materials and products have been obtained. 

• Hard, wear resistant and composite materials have been obtained in the form of castings in the field of centrifugal forces. As a result, materials of three type are obtained from inexpensive and available raw materials (oxides): 

• Hard alloys with complete phase separation; 

• Gradient alloys with partial phase separation; 

• Composite materials without phase separation. 

• Cast hard alloy parts for cutting units of road-building machines and nozzles of gas-operated metal cutting appliance have been obtained by this method.