Institute of Materials Research - Organisational Units

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Organizational Units

Metallic and Hybrid Materials

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.

Structural and Functional Ceramics

The department „Structural and Functional Ceramics“ is focusing on ceramic matrix composites and functional ceramic materials for applications in aeronautics, space, and solar-thermal energy.

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.

Central Analytical 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.

Experimental and Numerical Methods

The department ‘experimental and numerical methods’ develops methods for close-to-reality testing and numerical simulation of the behavior of new materials, joints between different classes of materials including coatings and generic components. 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.

Thermoelectric Functional Materials

The "Thermoelectric functional materials" group develops materials, contact techniques and system layouts for thermoelectric sensors and high-temperature energy converters (300 - 1000 °C) for aeronautics, automotive and laboratory applications as well as prototype fabrication for industrial customers.

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

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.