GTU Scientists’ Research Is a Winning Project in the State Grant Competition
27-02-2025
A group of scientists and researchers from the Georgian Technical University has become one of the winners of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia 2024 State Scientific Grant Competition for Fundamental Research.
The project titled “Electrochemical Deposition of Corrosion-Resistant Composite Coatings on a Zinc Matrix and Research on Corrosion Characteristics” is led by Associate Professor Marine Donadze from the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy at the Georgian Technical University. The project manager is Doctor Nino Makhaldiani, an academic doctor.
Additionally, it is noted that the project also involves Professor Jemal Shengelia, Associate Professor Maia Gabritchidze, and researchers from the National Center for High Technologies of Georgia – Doctor David Gogoli and Master Shalva Zurabishvili.
According to Marine Donadze, Associate Professor of the GTU Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, the fundamental research will study in detail the optimal conditions for obtaining both zinc galvanic coating and composite in two different electrolytes.
“The research will evaluate the impact of various fillers introduced into the electrolyte on the properties of the coating. As one of the fillers, we use local natural zeolite - Khekordzula clinoptilolite, which is a cheaper raw material than other fillers. Comparing the composite coating obtained with its content with other fillers will give us a picture of its corrosion resistance and, accordingly, the possibility of using cheap, environmentally friendly coating as a structural material in construction, aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and other fields. The second novelty of the fundamental research will be the use of waste (tails) from the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant as a filler in the composite coating. The waste, along with other elements and oxides, contains a significant amount of manganese dioxide. As shown by many scientific studies, zinc-manganese alloys significantly increase the corrosion resistance and other tribomechanical characteristics of the coating. As a third filler, we introduce Al2O3, which is often used to obtain corrosion-resistant composite coatings on various matrices,” says Marine Donadze.
As the project manager, Academic Doctor Nino Makhaldiani notes, as a result of the research, composite materials evaluated by instrumental methods will be recommended for use in various aggressive environments. Technological processes will allow replacement of environmentally safe coatings with environmentally hazardous cadmium and chromium coatings.
“Depending on the scope of application of zinc composite coatings, the theoretically obtained data will be verified in various details under operational conditions at the next stage of the research. Among other fillers, the use of cheap local raw materials - Khekordzula clinoptilolite or industrial waste from the ferroalloy plant has good prospects in terms of ecological and economic development,” says Nino Makhaldiani.
The Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy of the Georgian Technical University congratulates her colleagues on another success. As Professor Liana Targamadze states, the implementation of the project is based on scientific research and practical solutions, which bring significant results, both for the university and the country.
“There is a constant demand for highly qualified specialists in the field of corrosion in Georgia, which is due to the need to protect natural gas and oil pipelines passing through the territory of our country from corrosion. The country’s industry requires new multifunctional materials, connected with the creation of new products of composite galvanic coatings. The base or filler in a composite coating may be changed, and accordingly, a qualitatively new material is obtained for use not only in the technical and household sectors but also in the bio-medical field. I wish my colleagues success,” says Liana Targamadze.
The project “Electrochemical Deposition of Corrosion-Resistant Composite Coatings on a Zinc Matrix and Research on Corrosion Characteristics” will be implemented over three years.
The project titled “Electrochemical Deposition of Corrosion-Resistant Composite Coatings on a Zinc Matrix and Research on Corrosion Characteristics” is led by Associate Professor Marine Donadze from the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy at the Georgian Technical University. The project manager is Doctor Nino Makhaldiani, an academic doctor.
Additionally, it is noted that the project also involves Professor Jemal Shengelia, Associate Professor Maia Gabritchidze, and researchers from the National Center for High Technologies of Georgia – Doctor David Gogoli and Master Shalva Zurabishvili.
According to Marine Donadze, Associate Professor of the GTU Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, the fundamental research will study in detail the optimal conditions for obtaining both zinc galvanic coating and composite in two different electrolytes.
“The research will evaluate the impact of various fillers introduced into the electrolyte on the properties of the coating. As one of the fillers, we use local natural zeolite - Khekordzula clinoptilolite, which is a cheaper raw material than other fillers. Comparing the composite coating obtained with its content with other fillers will give us a picture of its corrosion resistance and, accordingly, the possibility of using cheap, environmentally friendly coating as a structural material in construction, aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and other fields. The second novelty of the fundamental research will be the use of waste (tails) from the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant as a filler in the composite coating. The waste, along with other elements and oxides, contains a significant amount of manganese dioxide. As shown by many scientific studies, zinc-manganese alloys significantly increase the corrosion resistance and other tribomechanical characteristics of the coating. As a third filler, we introduce Al2O3, which is often used to obtain corrosion-resistant composite coatings on various matrices,” says Marine Donadze.
As the project manager, Academic Doctor Nino Makhaldiani notes, as a result of the research, composite materials evaluated by instrumental methods will be recommended for use in various aggressive environments. Technological processes will allow replacement of environmentally safe coatings with environmentally hazardous cadmium and chromium coatings.
“Depending on the scope of application of zinc composite coatings, the theoretically obtained data will be verified in various details under operational conditions at the next stage of the research. Among other fillers, the use of cheap local raw materials - Khekordzula clinoptilolite or industrial waste from the ferroalloy plant has good prospects in terms of ecological and economic development,” says Nino Makhaldiani.
The Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy of the Georgian Technical University congratulates her colleagues on another success. As Professor Liana Targamadze states, the implementation of the project is based on scientific research and practical solutions, which bring significant results, both for the university and the country.
“There is a constant demand for highly qualified specialists in the field of corrosion in Georgia, which is due to the need to protect natural gas and oil pipelines passing through the territory of our country from corrosion. The country’s industry requires new multifunctional materials, connected with the creation of new products of composite galvanic coatings. The base or filler in a composite coating may be changed, and accordingly, a qualitatively new material is obtained for use not only in the technical and household sectors but also in the bio-medical field. I wish my colleagues success,” says Liana Targamadze.
The project “Electrochemical Deposition of Corrosion-Resistant Composite Coatings on a Zinc Matrix and Research on Corrosion Characteristics” will be implemented over three years.
