Institute of Materials Research

Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Voggenreiter
Head of Institute, Köln

Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Barbara Milow
Vice Director and Head of Department, Köln

Institute of Materials Research

Today technical systems have achieved such a high degree of complexity that further improvements can only be made by means of a multidisciplinary systems approach. Here the materials play a key role, as very often alone their availability is the decisive factor in the realization of the complete system. The investigation and development of new materials alone would only take us halfway. Nowadays manufacturability, availability and last but not least costs, are equally important when considering the technical usability and therefore also the commercial application and success of a material.

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Ceramic Matrix Composites for High-Temperature Applications in Aeronautics, Space and Energy

Energy efficient and ecologically friendly propulsion systems are a key technology for future civil as well as military aviation. Consequently, new materials enabling new aeroengine technology is a main research and development topic at DLR…

Functional Ceramics for Solar-thermal Applications

New functional materials for focusing solar-thermal processes are being developed in close cooperation with DLR-Institutes for Solar Research and Technical Thermodynamics. Materials include porous and particulate absorbers and redox materials. Applications are solar-thermal production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels as well as high-temperature thermal storage...

High Temperature and Functional Coatings

In the department “High Temperature and Functional Coatings” layers are developed to protect materials and components against harmful attack of the environment. In the Institute of Materials Research both metallic and ceramic coatings are developed that protect metallic, ceramic, and composite materials.

Thermoelectric Materials and Systems

The department develops materials, contacting techniques and system related aspects for thermoelectric generators (TEG) and sensors for applications in air and space, in vehicles and energy facilities at medium and high temperatures (250-1000°C).

Metallic and Hybrid Material Systems

In order to reduce production costs and weight of aerospace components, and to increase their functionality and performance, the department investigates a variety of metallic materials, hybrid materials and structures, their damage tolerance under service conditions as well as their dependence on processing. The focus of the activities is on the development, characterization and assessment of light-weight and high-temperature materials.

Experimental and Numerical Methods

The demand for shorter development times for new components and technical units requires accelerated and accurate determination of material properties. By combining experimental and numerical methods it is possible to reduce the number of time consuming experiments without loss of accuracy and reliability of the obtained data.

Microstructural Research and Metallography

The group “Central Analytical Research and Metallography” is a central facility at the Institute of Materials Research. Characterization of materials with respect to microstructure, chemical and phase composition is carried out as a scientific and technical service. The group´s activities represent an important input for the correlation between material synthesis and material properties.

Mechanical Testing of Materials

Mechanical Testing of Materials offers mechanical material characterization as scientific-technical service for all departments of the institute as well as for external customers. Mechanical material tests are performed under various loads, which can be uniaxial but also biaxial. Measurements are possible in air, vacuum, and corrosive environments at varying temperature ranges (-196° up to +1,400°C).

Aerogels and Aerogel composites

Aerogels are open porous, nanostructured materials manufactured by sol-gel technologies from water-rich solutions containing suitable chemical precursors. After their reaction a wet gel body containing nanosized particles being connected in3D like strings of pearls appear. Drying suitably conserves their solid skeleton and leaves materials with fascinating properties.


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Successful Spin Test of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V turbopump impeller for rocket engines