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Innovation at the Core: Oerlikon Metco’s Material R&D

At Oerlikon Metco, Material Research and Development (R&D) is at the heart of our innovation strategy. Our expert team is dedicated to pioneering advanced materials, including those shaped through powder metallurgy, to deliver unmatched performance across industries worldwide. As a global leader in surface solutions, we combine cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, pushing the boundaries of material science and design to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Driving Performance and Advancing Industries

Through continuous innovation, we create advanced materials and coatings that enhance product performance, reliability, and efficiency. Our technologies—often refined through powder metallurgy—help our customers achieve higher durability, energy efficiency, and competitive advantage in their industries.

At Oerlikon Metco, we foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. By delivering tailored solutions and setting new technological benchmarks, we empower clients to remain at the forefront of their markets. Our materials and coatings are engineered to help you stay ahead of the curve.

 

Our R&D Capabilities

  • Innovative Material Discovery:

    We focus on developing new materials and combinations with enhanced performance characteristics. Our research includes advanced ceramic materials and alloy optimization for better performance in challenging environments.

  • Testing & Evaluation

    We conduct extensive evaluations to assess material behavior under real-world conditions—focusing on temperature, pressure, and corrosive environments

  • Process Development

    We refine manufacturing processes (spray drying, atomization, sintering, crushing, cladding and spheroidization) to optimize material production, ensuring both quality and scalability.

What is Advanced Materials R&D?

Materials R&D encompasses discovering new materials, improving existing ones, and developing advanced manufacturing techniques. Our goal is to provide solutions that address evolving industry needs through innovation, high performance, and sustainability.

  • Advanced Materials Development

    Our Research & Development (R&D) team is at the cutting edge of advanced materials innovation, working relentlessly to develop new materials that not only meet but exceed the performance demands of today's most challenging environments. Our team specializes in high-performance alloys, advanced composites, and ceramic materials engineered to thrive under extreme conditions. By focusing on improving material properties such as strength, durability, and resilience, we ensure our solutions deliver long-lasting reliability, even in the most demanding applications.

    Tailored Alloys for Extreme Environments

    Our advanced alloys are designed to perform under conditions that push the limits of material science. Whether it's the intense heat of aerospace engines, the corrosive environments of chemical processing, or the wear and tear in heavy machinery, we create high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloys that stand up to the toughest challenges. We focus on:

    • High-temperature alloys for gas turbines, automotive engines, and aerospace applications.
    • Corrosion-resistant alloys for marine, chemical, and oil & gas industries.
    • Wear-resistant alloys designed for components exposed to abrasive environments, such as manufacturing tools and mining equipment.

    Our alloys are engineered to not only withstand high stresses and extreme temperatures but also to maintain integrity and performance over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering operational costs.

  • Unique Properties with Advanced Composite Materials

    We develop advanced composite materials that combine the best properties of metals, ceramics, and polymers to provide enhanced strength-to-weight ratios and high-performance characteristics. These materials are ideal for applications where lightweight and high-strength properties are essential, such as in aerospace, automotive, and electronic components. Our composites are engineered to deliver:

    • Improved thermal stability and resistance to thermal expansion.
    • Superior mechanical strength without compromising on weight.
    • Enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical properties for specialized applications, such semiconductors and thermal management materials.

    These materials are tailor-made to meet the specific demands of each sector, providing our clients with customized solutions that help them gain a competitive edge in performance and efficiency.

  • High-Performance Ceramic Materials for Harsh Conditions

    Our advanced ceramic materials are engineered to withstand the most extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, abrasive wear, and corrosive environments. Ceramics are uniquely suited for applications where traditional metals or polymers fail, especially in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Key attributes of our ceramics include:

    • Exceptional heat resistance, making them ideal for high-temperature applications like thermal barriers, insulation, and engine components.
    • High hardness and abrasion resistance for use in cutting tools, wear-resistant coatings, and components subject to extreme mechanical stresses.
    • Electrical insulation and high dielectric strength for use in electronics, semiconductors, and high-voltage components.

    By tailoring the chemical composition and microstructure of our ceramics, we can optimize their properties to provide the ultimate protection against wear, corrosion, and high thermal cycling, leading to extended component life and reduced downtime.

  • Innovation Through Powder Metallurgy

    Our expertise in powder metallurgy plays a crucial role in the development of these materials, allowing us to design precisely engineered powders that enhance material properties during processing. Whether it's for Thermal spray or Additive manufacturing, our powder-based solutions offer:

    • Improved material consistency and reduced porosity, enhancing both mechanical strength and durability.
    • The ability to create complex geometries and customized material structures that traditional manufacturing techniques can't achieve.
    • Enhanced material properties such as hardness, ductility, and thermal stability, tailored to meet the specific needs of industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics.

    By leveraging powder metallurgy techniques, we can create innovative, high-performance materials with complex designs that are lightweight, durable, and cost-effective.

Collaborative Development for Custom Solutions

We understand that every industry and application has its unique challenges. That’s why we don’t just create materials—we collaborate closely with our clients to develop tailored material solutions that address their specific needs. Whether it’s a new alloy to withstand extreme temperatures or a composite to meet lightweight demands, our team works hand-in-hand with you to ensure the materials we develop provide the highest level of performance, durability, and reliability for your application.

Oerlikon Metco materials development process

Our development process involves:

  1. In-depth analysis of your requirements and challenges.
  2. Material selection based on mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.
  3. Prototype development and testing to ensure that materials meet or exceed performance specifications.
  4. Scalable manufacturing to ensure that the custom solution can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability is a key focus in our R&D efforts. We are committed to developing eco-friendly materials and refining processes to reduce our environmental footprint, without compromising performance.

  • Eco-Friendly Materials: We design materials that are recyclable or biodegradable, contributing to a greener future.
  • Energy Efficiency: Our solutions are engineered for energy efficiency, helping you reduce operational costs while maintaining peak performance.

Why Choose Oerlikon Metco?

  • Cutting-Edge Technology: We leverage the latest tools and technologies to drive innovation and solve complex problems, such as wear and corrosion resistance, in demanding environments.
  • Expert Team: Our engineers and researchers are leaders in their fields, committed to developing tailored solutions that address your unique challenges.
  • Global Reach: With a worldwide presence, we collaborate with clients across industries to deliver state-of-the-art technologies and best practices wherever you are.
  • Your Innovation Partner: We are not just a surface solutions provider—we are your partner in advancing materials, delivering solutions that drive performance, reliability, and long-term success.

Discover the Future of Material Innovation

Oerlikon Metco is shaping the future of surface solutions by creating materials that redefine performance. Explore our R&D capabilities and see how we can help you achieve unparalleled performance and reliability in your applications.

Let’s redefine what’s possible, together. Contact us today to discuss how our innovative materials can elevate your projects.

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