ITU Surface Lab conducts research and application-oriented studies in surface engineering, coating technologies, corrosion, tribology, and advanced materials characterization.
A laboratory structure that links research and application
The laboratory operates within the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Istanbul Technical University and brings together research lines focused on surface performance.
Coating production, surface modification, corrosion resistance, tribological performance, and microstructural analysis are handled together to produce both academic output and application-oriented know-how.
This structure allows process development, material-characterization relationships, and functional surface design to evolve within the same research pipeline.
A workflow that connects need, production, and validation
Define the Surface Problem
Wear, corrosion, high-temperature exposure, biocompatibility, or added-function requirements are first framed in their application context.
Design the Coating Route
PVD, CVD, thermal barrier, and functional coating strategies are evaluated together with material selection and process parameters.
Characterize and Validate
Microstructure, chemistry, topography, and performance data are interpreted together to refine the process in a closed loop.
Explore the expertise pages
PVD Coatings
Physical vapor deposition routes, thin-film architectures, and coating strategies for improved surface performance.
CVD Coatings
Chemical vapor deposition and plasma-assisted routes for functional and protective surface design.
Tribology and Wear
Tribological coating systems and testing workflows aimed at reducing friction, wear, and surface damage.
Thermal Barrier Coatings
Multi-layer thermal barrier systems and microstructure control strategies for turbine and engine components.
Functional Coatings
Thin-film approaches that add electrical, optical, catalytic, and surface-chemistry-driven performance.
Surface Characterization
Surface and coating analysis workflows based on SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, and profilometry.
Where surface engineering creates value
Surface Lab studies are relevant to high-temperature components, wear-critical systems, corrosive environments, functional thin films, and materials that require controlled interface behavior.
This approach goes beyond coating production alone and includes interface design, substrate-coating compatibility, and stability under service conditions.
The lab’s research agenda connects fundamental materials science with application-oriented surface development in one shared technical language.
Related pages
The expertise pages provide more targeted content for specific coating and analysis topics.
The Research and Projects pages connect these topics to the academic output and ongoing work carried out in the laboratory.
Quick answers about the lab
Which research areas define Surface Lab?
The lab focuses on surface engineering, coating technologies, corrosion, tribology, thin films, and advanced materials characterization.
Are coating production and characterization handled together?
Yes. Production, microstructure analysis, surface behavior, and performance assessment are treated as one connected workflow.
Does the lab also support application-oriented work?
Yes. In addition to publications and projects, the lab supports application-oriented surface development and performance validation studies.