Corrosion & Protection of metallic materials

The development of new functional materials, micro- or nano-structured, with new properties and applications, is leading to new breakthroughs in many technological fields. Generally, the term "functionalisation” in describes the processes employed to modify the surface properties to obtain new functions. A successful way to afford materials new functionalities is by using surface treatments that confer the first surface layers a new composition, morphology or micro/nano structure that enables them for new applications. Examples of this scientific approach are well known in microelectronics, optics, biomaterials. A serious challenge of surface functionalisation is to obtain materials with improved mechanical, corrosion and wear properties since they have a profound impact in a wide range of industrial sectors.