PhD in INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

email: roberto.montanari@uniroma2.it
phone: +39 0672597182
building: Ingegneria Industriale

Roberto Montanari was born in Bologna (31.12.1953).
Degree in Physics at the University of Bologna (1981).
Now he is full professor of Metallurgy at the University of Rome-Tor Vergata.
The experimental activity of research involved techniques of X-ray diffraction, measurements of internal friction and dynamical modulus, optical and electron (SEM and TEM) microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), and mechanical tests.

The main investigated topics are:
1. deformation of metals by explosives,
2. melting and solidification of metallic alloys in microgravity conditions,
3. martensitic transformation,
4. materials for structural applications in future nuclear fusion reactors,
5. characteristics and properties of Ni base superalloys,
6. mechanical tests on miniaturized scale,
7. structure of liquid metals and precursor effects of melting and solidification,
8. optimization of brazing and welding,
9. study of metallic artefacts of artistic and archaeological interest,
10. production and characterization of metal foams,
11. microstructural and mechanical characterization of Ti composites reinforced by SiC fibres,
12. deposition and characterization of LDHs,
13. biodegradable alloys.

He has been involved in several projects of base and industrial research supported by both public and private funds. Some of the most relevant are listed below.

As investigator he took part in:
1. 1982-1984 Project “Experiment ES 311 A-B”- Funded by ESA (European Space Agency).
The activity has been developed at the Physics Institute of Bologna and at DFVLR Laboratory in Porz-Wahnheim (Colonia). The experiment, carried out in Spacelab-1 Mission, was the first italian experiment in the space. It consisted in melting and solidificating metallic alloys under microgravity condition. It showed the differences between solidification structures obtained in earth environment and in microgravity.
2. 1984-85 Project CNR-MET "Microstructural evolution during forming of dual phase steels"- Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
The microstructural features of dual phase steels in as-quenched condition and after heat treatments have been investigated by X-ray diffraction. It was shown that carbon partition in the phases (martensite and ferrite) and its interaction with dislocations are of fundamental importance for the mechanical properties.
3. 1984-85 Project CNR-MET "Explosive pressing and hot isostatic pressing. Microstructural Study"- Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
The behaviour of several metals deformed with slow (hot isostatic pressing) and high (esplosive pressing) strain rate has been investigated. Results permitted to understand physical and microstructural mechanisms of these processes of plastic deformation.
4. 1987-1991 1st Project CNR-MSTA "Recovery of internal stress due to fiber-matrix interaction in composites of Al with different dispersoids (SiC, Al2O3)". Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
Stresses due to fiber-matrix interaction have been investigated in composites with Al matrix and the heat treatments suitable to get their recovery have been found.

As first investigator he took part in:
1. 1997-2000 2nd Project CNR-MSTA “Fatigue behaviour of metal matrix composites”- Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
The conditions for nucleation and propagation of fatigue cracks in composites with Al matrix have been investigated. On the basis of experimental results, titanium thin coatings have been deposited by sputtering on the composite surface and it was observed that coatings permit to prolong the fatigue life up to 10 times, also in tests at high temperature.
2. 1997-2000 Project CNR-BC “Innovative methodologies for 3D survey of metallic artefacts of historical and artistic interest”- Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
For manufacturing the copy of the equestrian statue of Marco Aurelio, in cooperation with the Italian Mint, chemical and structural analyses have been performed on the parts of horse and rider, obtained by foundry. The examination represented a preliminary check to assess the possibile presence of defects in the castings before welding operations.
3. 1997-2000 Project CNR-BC “Analytical and microstructural characterization of metallic artefacts of archaeological, historical and artistic interest, kept indoor and outdoor, and evaluation of the suitable methodologies of preservation“- Funded by CNR (National Research Council).
Phoenician-punic artefacts made of gold and silver (from Ibiza Museum-Spain) have been investigated to find the working technique used to produce them. Moreover, corrosion processes of ancient metals kept in different environmental conditions have been simulated by means of experiments carried out on modern alloys using a climatic camera.
4. 1986- 2005 Projects “Study of radiation damage resistance of chromium martensitic steels for structural applications in future nuclear fusion reactors”- Funded by ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment).
Chromium martensitic steels of interest for structural applications in future nuclear fusion reactors have been studied paying particolar attention to the swelling and the increasing of the ductile to brittle transitino temperature following neutron irradiation. In fusion reactors structural materials will be exposed to intense neutron radiation with a hard component (14 MeV) in the spectrum. Therefore, the formation, growth and coalescence of elium bubbles represents a serious problem because it involves dimensional instability of mechanical parts and finally their rupture. The microstructural evolution of steels with different chromium content, quenched with increasing cooling rates, after heat treatments up to 700°C has been investigated by XRD, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, internal friction measurements. It was found that internal stresses remain also after prolonged time of heating at 700°C which drastically reduce the density of defects, like dislocations and sub-grains. The internal stresses, due to the formation of contiguous zones with different chromium contents, can explain the high swelling resistance of these alloys since they favour helium bubble nucleation and hinder their growth and coalescence.
An important result was the discovery of C-Cr aggregates, the study of their characteristics, evolution which influences phenomena, like embrittlement, carbide precipitation and hydrogen attack.
5. 1994- 2005 Project “Design and production of an apparatus for indentation tests on small scale employing a cylindrical punch” Funded by ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment).
The apparatus FIMEC has been designed and produced. It permits to perform instrumented indentation tests on metallic materials, also after neutron irradiation (in hot cell). The specific characteristic of the instrument is the flat top cylindrical punch (diameter in the range 0.5-2 mm). The test is local and non-destructive. It gives elastic modulus, yield stress and an indication of the ductile to brittle transitinon temperature for the materials which exhibit such phenomenon. The apparatus can operate at different temperatures from -196°C to 600 °C.
The research led also to develop a portable FIMEC machine, which has been patented.
6. 1998-2000 Project “XRD study of structures of liquid metals with controlled convective motions”-Funded by ASI (Italian Space Agency).
Melting and solidification of several pure metals and alloys have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Correlations between solid and liquid structures have been described. The same experiments should be repeated in the future aboard the I.S.S. (International Space Station) under microgravity conditions.
7. 2002-2004 Project “Analysis of defects in coins of precious metals”- Funded by the AUSTRIAN MINT.
The nature of different defects (spots of different color) present on medals and coins of gold, silver and their alloys produced by the Austrian Mint has been investigated. The causes of defects in the production process have been identified and removed.
8. 2002-2004 Project “New process for the production of sintered friction materials of high performances for automotive applications”- Funded by FEDERAL MOGUL.
The optimal conditions for compacting and sintering different powder mix used by the company for producing friction materials have been investigated and found.
9. 2002-2003 Project “New process of liquid forging for the production of aluminium components with high mechanical performances”- Funded by ZANUSSI METALLURGICA.
The technique of pin squeeze casting for producing mechanical parts in aluminium alloys has been investigated. After designing and constructing some prototypes of reduced size, an industrial machine has been produced.
10. 2003-2004 Project PRIN-MIUR “Deformation of fcc metals by small esplosive charges”
(scientific head of the operative unit of Rome-Tor Vergata).
Deformation mechanisms of fcc metals subjected to explosions with small charges have been examined by considering several materials and different sample-charge distances. It was found that the specific behaviour of a fcc metal mainly depends on its stacking fault energy. The results can be useful to reckognize the effects on a given metal of a unknown esplosive event.
11. 2003-2004 Project “Process innovation for the production by squeeze-casting of parts in Al alloy”- Funded by NUOVA RENOPRESS.
The research permitted to develop Al alloys of modified composition for die-casting.
12. 2004-2005 Project “Innovation of the production process of aluminium die-cast components of complex geometry and large size”- Funded by SIMI.
The local mechanical properties of parts of complex shape obtained by die-casting have been determined by FIMEC indentation tests. The mapping of mechanical characteristics permitted to modify the process parameters in order to improve the quality of products.
13. 2004-2005 Project “Production of coins of high security standards”- Funded by TRAFIME.
A new methodology for producing coins of higher security standards has been developed. The characteristics of coins are of difficult reproducibility by counterfeiters. The method, which has been patented, is based on the uncommon resistive and magnetic properties of the metal, the coins are made of. The desired properties are obtained by careful tayloring of alloy composition in the case of copper alloys and by thermo-mechanical treatments in the case of austenitic steels.
14. 2006-2007 Project PRIN-MIUR “Characterization of metallic nanopowder sintered materials produced by Spark Plasma Sintering” (scientific head of the operative unit of Rome-Tor Vergata).
The properties of SPS nanopowder sintered materials have been studied by FIMEC indentation and measurements of internal friction and dinamic modulus. Different powder mix compositions and process parameters have been considered.
15. 2006-2008 Project “Microstructural evolution of Ni-base superalloys for high-temperature applications: effects on mechanical behaviour, deformation mechanisms and damaging”-Funded by CSM.
The research, which is now underway, aims to identify treatments suitable to guarantee the microstructural stability of Ni-base superalloys during service life. Experiments are carried out on single crystal, grain oriented and equiaxed alloys.
16. 2007-2008 Project “Study of brazing alloys for joining heating elements to plates”-Funded by STAB.
The target of the research is the developing of new brazing alloys for joining dissimilar materials, in particular austenitic stainless steels and copper alloys. The new alloys should be cheaper than those currently in use and guarantee the same mechanical performances.
17. 2007-2014 6 Projects regarding the optimization of the production of gold alloys and of other precious metals. Funded by PAMP-Chiasso-Svizzera.
18. 2012-2014 2 Projects on soldering Ag-Ni alloys. Funded by ITALCHIMICI-Lumezzane (BS).
19. 2004-2013 Project "Materials for future nuclear fusion reactors: W armours"- Funded by ENEA-EURATOM.
20. 2008-2010 Project PRIN-MIUR "Low-temperature carburizing of austeniitic stainless steels". Principal investigator of the project.
21. 2014-2017 Program A*MIDEX University Foundation: Initiative of excellence, Mediterranean program. “Micro-scale energy storage and conversion”
22. 2021-2023 Project “Ni-AwaRe: Nickel Alloys Welding and Repairing by High Density Energy Processes”.funded by Regione Lazio. Principal investigator of the project.

From 2015 is member of the International Associated Laboratory “ Laboratory Ionomer Materials for Energy (LIME) ” between University of Rome Tor Vergata, Aix-Marseille University, France and CNRS, France.

Author of about 360 papers published in italian and international journals.
Author of 10 books.
Author of the following patents:
1- Portable FIMEC apparatus for indentation tests with cylindrical punch;
2- Production process of coins with high security standards by using materials of controlled magnetic permeability.
3- Italian patent application "Placca di fissaggio per osteosintesi di coste con fratture multiple"

He was eligible as member of the panel for ASN 2012 (SC 09/A3). He gave "parere pro veritate" (SSD ING-IND21 Metallurgy) to the panel.

He was member of the panel for ASN 2016 (SC 09/A3).

On the 1st of June 2016 he received the "Thermec Distinguished Award" in Graz (Austria).

2012-2019 Coordinator of the PhD Programme of Industrial Engineering at the University of Rome-Tor Vergata.

2004-2008 President of the Center "Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science" of AIM (Italian Metallurgy Association).


Referee of international scientific journals.
Since 2009 member of the International Advisory Committee of the Conference THERMEC.
Member of the organizing committee of the international conference ICIFMS-15 (15th International Conference on Internal Friction and Mechanical Spectroscopy), Perugia 2008.
President of AIM National Conference 2014.
2014-2021 President of COMET (Council for Metallurgy)