Service

The Institute for Materials Science and Engineering focuses on the material behavior of multiscale materials. Since the appointment of Prof. Dr. Wolfram in October 2023, this now also includes the material behavior of biological tissues and organs, with a focus on mineralized material architectures. These materials include mineral-reinforced biopolymers, bioceramics, bioglasses, and their composites. To investigate the properties of such materials, we employ a combination of innovative experiments, numerical methods, and mathematical models, ranging from the molecular to the macroscopic scale. The digital representation of material architectures and their properties, as well as the associated algorithms for data processing and interpretation, are essential tools to gain insights into the relationship between function and material architecture. Our experiments, in addition to established laboratory analytics (e.g., XRD, EDX, µCT, SEM, XRF, etc.), also include investigations at large-scale research facilities such as synchrotrons.

The refocusing at the end of 2023 strengthens our historical areas of focus without abandoning them. In appreciation of our legacy, we continue advancing the investigation of microstructure-property relationships in metallic materials, with a particular emphasis on lightweight metals based on aluminium, magnesium, and titanium. Copper and iron-based materials are also studied intensively. In terms of mechanical properties, the primary focus is on strength characteristics under static load (creep behavior), quasi-static stress (tensile and compressive), cyclic loading (fatigue testing), and dynamic stress (notch impact bending test). This includes the study of damping behavior, the behavior of soft magnetic materials, long-term dimensional stability of materials, and grain refinement of cast materials. Other areas of interest include improving fatigue behavior through processes of mechanical surface hardening (e.g., shot peening, roller burnishing) and investigating the electrochemical corrosion behavior of metallic materials. The aforementioned investigative methods, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, are also applied in practical failure analysis. Based on insights from failure analysis, recommendations are made for optimizing material use for specific applications.

A rough overview of the services we currently offer can be found in the flyer below (in German). However, upon request, we can also provide individual assistance with problems and damage cases in the materials engineering field. Additionally, custom measurements on the machines and systems depicted can be conducted at our facility by arrangement.