Project Summary (English)

The project ” Increasing the durability in use, by thermally coating the active parts (mainshare and foreshare) with metal and ceramic layers, of the reversible agricultural plow” consists in developing and improving the properties by thermal coating of the active parts of the agricultural plows, which are heavily used in soil tillage. By using powders from the manufacturer’s catalog (Oerlikon Metco), designed to obtain mechanical wear and corrosion properties, it is expected to obtain components, namely mainshare and foreshare (removable on the active part of the agricultural plow) with superior properties. The project will lead both to the realization of components much more resistant to the stresses during operation and to the possibility of their reconditioning, when the degree of wear exceeds the permissible limits, thus increasing the durability and profitability of these components and thus significantly reducing maintenance costs. Within the project, plasma jet deposition will be performed for the 2 components (mainshare and foreshare), with 2 different types of powders (metallic and ceramic), at specific thicknesses, to obtain an optimal choice of coatings. Throughout the project, the results will be published in specialized journals, the realization of a thematic workshop, the patenting of the technology and mobility visits of partners from Moldova and Romania.

General Objectives

OG1. Interconnection of the existing expertise within the implementation team according to the needs
identified in agricultural companies.
OG2. Affirming the prestige of scientific research in Romania quantified by international scientific results.
OG3. Implementation of the principle “funding follows performance” in research by obtaining optimal results.
OG4. Technological transfer (TRL) in the market by disseminating research

Specific objectives

OS1. Identifying and contacting agricultural commercial companies in the area of Iasi County and national
agricultural producers in Romania.
OS2. Analysis of the current state regarding the thermal coatings performed on the materials from which the
coulters and forshare of the reversible ploughs in agriculture are made.
OS3. Establishing the necessary properties and choosing the powders to be used for technological applications.
OS4. Performing plasma jet depositions on specific samples.
OS5. Performing microstructural, wear resistance, fatigue, hardness, microindentation and corrosion tests of
the coatings performed.
OS6. Selection of coatings with optimal characteristics and making deposits on mainshare and foreshare of
reversible agricultural plows.
OS7. Testing of agricultural reversible plow, within the user commercial companies.
OS8. Dissemination of results through patenting and publication of ISI/BDI articles.

Cognitive and Socio-Economic Impact

Cognitive Impact

Development and Consolidation of Scientific Competencies

– Direct access by Moldovan researchers to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and cutting-edge methodology in the field of thermal coatings on agricultural components. Moldovan researchers will benefit from continuous training through interaction with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in complementary fields: materials engineering, tribology, microstructural analysis, and characterization through X-ray diffraction.​

Knowledge Transfer and Innovative Methodology

– Internship placements allow direct transfer of know-how in the use of specialized equipment, such as the Sulzer Metco 9MCE plasma jet deposition system, SEM-FEI Quanta 200 electron microscopy, and the Panalytical X-ray diffractometer. This represents a significant cognitive advantage for Moldovan researchers who will be able to apply these technologies in their own institutions.​

Development of International Research Capacity

– Bilateral collaboration contributes to the consolidation of research capacity at the international level through: mandatory participation in international conferences (minimum 2 conferences per internship placement), publication of ISI articles with impact factor >2, and integration of Moldovan researchers into international scientific networks already consolidated in which Romania participates.

Socio-Economic Impact

– Consolidation of bilateral collaboration: Through continuous exchange of knowledge and experience, both institutions benefit from a comparative perspective on research in materials engineering

– Technology transfer: Moldovan researchers can transpose results and methodology to the Republic of Moldova, contributing to the development of local research capacity in agricultural application domains

– Increase of international prestige: Publication of joint articles and participation in international conferences consolidates the reputation of both institutions

Economic and Applied Impact

– Agricultural applications: Metallic and ceramic coatings for agricultural components (mainshare and foreshare of reversible plows) will be tested under real conditions and transferred to the agricultural business environment

– Component reconditioning: The technology enables reconditioning of worn components through thermal deposition, reducing costs and energy consumption for manufacturing new components

– Workshop with business environment: In the second stage of the project, a specific workshop will be organized with economic agents and agricultural centers for technology transfer, with participation from Moldova, facilitating adoption of the technology in practice

Impact on Young Human Resources

A major socio-economic impact is the “contribution to the development of highly qualified young human resources, using advanced technologies and the know-how of experienced researchers.” Moldovan researchers, particularly doctoral students (with participation of 30-40 days/visit), will benefit from:​

  • Mentoring from researchers with consolidated expertise (Prof. Corneliu Munteanu has 190+ ISI publications, h-index 19+)​
  • Practical experience in applying modern research methods
  • Professional development that will facilitate their reintegration into the Moldovan research system in positions of consolidated researcher

 

Dissemination - Publications

  1. Munteanu, C. Lupu, F.C. Istrate, B. Ianus, G. Marian, G. Boris, N. Marian, T. Arsenoaia, V.N. Use of Thermal Coatings to Improve the Durability of Working Tools in Agricultural Tillage Machinery: A review. Applied Sciences. 2025. Under review

Meet Our Team

Professor PhD.
Corneliu Munteanu
TUIASI

Assoc. Prof. PhD
NAZAR Boris
UTM

Assoc. Prof. PhD.
Istrate Bogdan
TUIASI

Assoc. Prof. PhD.
Ianuș Gelu
TUIASI

Prof. PhD. Eng.
Viorel Goanța
TUIASI

Prof. PhD. Eng.
Viorel Paleu
TUIASI

Prof. PhD. Eng.
Marcelin Benchea
TUIASI

Lecturer PhD.
Ciprian Ionut Moraras
TUIASI

Assoc. prof. PhD.
Vlad Nicolae Arsenoaia
TUIASI/USV

Assoc.Prof. PhD.
Ramona Cimpoeșu
TUIASI

Assoc. prof. PhD
Ana Tufescu
TUIASI

Lecturer PhD.
Fabian Cezar Lupu
TUIASI

Prof. PhD.
Marian Grigore
UTM

Assoc. Prof. PhD
Andrei Gudîma
UTM

Ph.D. student
Marian Teodor
UTM

Senior researcher, PhD
Andrei Pavlenco
UTM

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