Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
Industrial progress is not possible without the development of materials science, but has the functional potential of materials been fully exploited? One example is the impressive evolution of glass: from its original use in windows and for vessels, it has been developed into a versatile material that is indispensable in applications such as camera systems and for fiber optic communications. Of course, the range of applications is still expanding. For more than two decades, we at the Fraunhofer IPT have been researching the properties of materials such as glass, plastics and metals using material characterization.
The quality, durability, and thermal-mechanical properties of components can be optimized through the targeted use of individually selected materials. Adapted machining of the material can also extend the service life of tools and machines and increase the efficiency of machining processes.
Material characterization results improve knowledge of the material
Using state-of-the-art equipment as well as self-developed material testing methods, we are capable of analyzing the thermomechanical, relaxation-dependent, tribological, fracture mechanical and optical properties of the materials. Our goal with material characterization is to continually deepen our understanding of the processing of different materials and to expand our knowledge of their potential uses.
Optimizing the process chain with evaluations and analyses of material properties
The results of the analyses from the measurements flow into our further research and development work. We offer our customers and partners the opportunity to analyze manufacturing errors and defects on the basis of material characterizations and to develop optimization proposals for process chains.
