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Materials Department Materials Department

Isabel Fontinha

Isabel Fontinha
Phone: 218 443 633

Professional Situation

Assistant Researcher

Academic and Scientific Degrees

  • PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Aveiro University in the field of Nanostructured sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection, 2012  
  • Chemical Engineer degree from the Instituto Superior Técnico of Technical University of Lisbon, 1992

Functions and Relevant Public Offices

  • Research Officer, since May 2012
  • Research Assistant, 2003/2012
  • Research Trainee, 1994/2003

Areas of Research / Interest

  • Durability of metallic materials used in  construction and respective metallic  and inorganic coatings in natural environments: atmosphere, water and soil
  • Corrosion and conservation of metallic cultural and architectural patrimony
  • Physico-chemical and microstructural characterization of metallic materials and inorganic coatings
  • Nanostructured hybrid sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection

Research and Professional Activity

  • Participation in scientific research projects at national and European level, indicating the two most recent:
    • DURATINET - Durable Transport Infrastructure in the Atlantic Area-Network (2008-2013)
    • EU-ARTECH – Access, Research and Technology for the conservation of the European Cultural Heritage (2004-2009)
  • Participation in research projects and contract studies in the field of study of the corrosion behaviour of metallic materials
  • Study of corrosion induced failure cases on several types of metallic building components

Scientific Orientation

  • Co-supervision of 2 MSc degree students experimental work, since 2011
  • Collaboration in the orientation of 4 Bachelor degree students final work, between 1996 and 2011

Relevant Publications

Selected publications:
  • I. Rute Fontinha, M. Manuela Salta, Mikhail L. Zheludkevich, Mário G.S. Ferreira, "EIS study of amine cured epoxy-silica-zirconia sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection of the aluminium alloy EN AW 6063” Portugaliae Electrochimica Acta 2013, 31(6), 307-319. DOI: 10.4152/pea.201306307
  • I. R. Fontinha, M. M. Salta, M. L. Zheludkevich, M.G.S Ferreira, R. B. Figueira, E. V. Pereira, C. R. J. Silva, "Influence of the pH on the corrosion protection of  epoxy-silica-zirconia sol-gel coatings applied on EN AW-6063 aluminium alloy”,  ECS Trans. 2014,  58(38), 9-16; DOI:10.1149/05838.0009ecst
  • I. Rute Fontinha, "Nanostructured sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection  of aluminium alloy”, PhD Thesis, University of Aveiro, Portugal, 2012
  • S. Bittner, G. Farron, R. Fontinha, D. Job, E. Joseph, P. Letardi, M. Mach, R. Mazzeo, S. Prati, M. Salta, A. Simon, "Development and Evaluation of New Treatments for Outdoor Bronze Monuments”, In Conservation Science 2007, J. Twonsend, L. Toniolo, F. Cappitelli (Eds), Archetype Publications, London, 2008, 40-48.
  • I.R. Fontinha, M. M. Salta, "Componentes metálicos na Construção - Comportamento à corrosão e sua prevenção", Informação Técnica de Patologia e Reabilitação das Construções – ITPRC 3, LNEC, Lisboa, 2004
  • I. Rute Fontinha, M. Manuela Salta, "Corrosion and conservation of copper alloy statues” (in portuguese), Corros. Prot. Mater., Vol. 27, Nº 3, 2008, 87-94
  • I. Rute Fontinha, M. Manuela Salta, "Performance of metallic components in buildings” (in portuguese), Corros. Prot. Mater., Vol. 26, Nº 3, 2007, 86-93

Other scientific and technical Activities

  • Inspector of QUALANOD – Quality Label for Sulphuric Acid-Based Anodizing of Aluminium, 1996/1999, 2008/2010 and from 2012
  • Member of national standardization technical committees CT 43 – "Metallic corrosion and its prevention,” e CT 34 – "Non-ferrous alloys”, from 1993
  • Teaching  in technical courses and seminars  
  • Collaboration on the organization and participation in congresses, workshops and seminars
  • Member of Portuguese Council of Engineers
  • Member of Portuguese Electrochemical Society

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