To cater to the local needs of the region, NML Madras Centre (NML-MC) was established in 1973. Over the years, the Centre has undertaken several R & D projects mainly in the area of mineral beneficiation and has developed flow sheets for the beneficiation of ferrous and non-ferrous minerals. 

In recent years, the Centre has made signification contributions to the development of column flotation technology for Indian mineral industry. Recently, NML-MC has developed an innovative technology to treat industrial effluents by electro-flotation. 

The Centre also undertakes research and development projects in the areas of thermodynamic and kinetic modeling, development of electrochemical coatings, microstructural characterization and failure analysis of various industrial components. 

NMLMC provides assistance to small scale industries in thermocouple calibration, chemical analysis, testing of tiles and metallurgical analysis by providing quality services at competitive costs.

NML-MC assists various government departments such as, Dept. of Customs, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Excise etc. in providing expert opinion on metallurgical consignments at Chennai, Pondicherry and Tuticorin.

Current Projects

Characterization and conceptual flowsheet development for the production of high quality beach sand minerals by column flotation (Under CSIR Network Project 'Capacity building for coastal placer mineral mining')

Beneficiation of fluorspar with new reagent scheme and development of flotation flow sheet (GMDC Science Research Centre, Ahmedabad)

Treatment of industrial effluents by a novel bio-physico technology involving specific microbial packages and innovative flotation techniques (Dept.of Biotechnology, New Delhi)

Studies on Ni-B and Ni-B-Si3N4 composite coatings obtained by electro and electroless deposition processes (CSIR, New Delhi)

Periodical verification of Hardness Test Machines (Scientific Technologies, Chennai)

Periodical verification of Hardness Test Machines (Fine Manufacturing Industries, Miraj)

Testing and evaluation of cement tiles (M/s Ultra Tiles Pvt. Ltd., Chennai)

Current research programmes

Electroflotation systems for industrial applications

Design and development of flotation columns for laboratory & industrial applications

Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of metallurgical processes

Development of coatings for corrosion and wear resistance

Mechano-chemical activation of minerals and materials

Utilisation of agricultural and industrial wastes for producing value added materials

Training

Scientists of our Centre are recognized by Anna University, Madras University and Banaras Hindu University as research supervisors for PhD programme. The Centre also conducts training programmes for under graduate students from BITS, Pilani, BHU, Varanasi and graduate/post graduate students from other local colleges in the areas of Metallurgy, Chemistry and Instrumentation.

R&D Services

Process development in mineral beneficiation and effluent treatment

Design and development of flotation columns for laboratory and industrial applications

Electroflotation system for effluent treatment

Petrological studies of minerals/ores/slags/sinters

Thermodynamic & kinetic modeling of metallurgical processes

Development of corrosion resistance coatings

Testing Services

Chemical analysis of ores, metals and alloys

Calibration of thermocouples and devices

Microstructural characterization

Determination of micro, macro and Moh's hardness

Failure analysis of industrial components

Evaluation and testing of tiles

Particle size analysis

Corrosion testing of metals and alloys

Consultancy Services

Inspection and expert opinion on metallurgical import/export consignments