Research
The research activities carried out at the Institute of Materials Engineering - Metallic Materials can be summarized under the topic of processing-microstructure-properties relationships. There are seven working groups being closely networked with the following main research areas:
- Microstructure, Plasticity and Fracture Behavior
- Zone-Boundary Optimization and Fatigue Strength
- Stress and Phase Analysis
- Joining Technology and Heat Treatment
- Additive Manufacturing
- Shape Memory Technique
- Modeling
In all fields, fundamental and application-oriented aspects are focused in a balanced manner. In particular, technical issues as well as the evaluation of damage and failure cases are addressed in close cooperation with industrial partners. A wide range of modern testing equipment is available to the working groups for the investigations. For example, several computer-controlled X-ray diffractometers are available for stress, phase and texture analysis. In addition, all arc welding processes can be used in the welding laboratory for fabrication of well-defined weld seams. In turn, additive manufacturing, so-called "metal 3D printing", is feasible via electron beam melting and selective laser melting technique. Furthermore, by means of modern hardware and software equipment including mechanical and servo-hydraulic testing machines the working group is able to perform complex fatigue and crack propagation investigations.
