Microstructural design and degradation

The development of new materials and the targeted improvement of existing materials has gained considerable momentum in recent years. This includes, for example, the development of chemically complex alloys or novel microstructures that are realized using additive manufacturing. The development of tailor-made materials is also conducive to using climate-neutral and environmentally friendly processes in socially important areas such as energy, transport, and process engineering in the foreseeable future. However, the road to the technical application of new materials is a long one because microstructural design and the resulting structure-property relationships are subject to complex thermodynamic and thermo-mechanical laws that have not yet been sufficiently understood.

In this context, Division 5.1 deals with issues relating to the design and degradation of microstructures in construction materials. Central to this are the characterization and identification of microstructural degradation mechanisms and/or the desired adjustment of properties, e.g. through heat treatment, controlled degradation through corrosion, or alloy modification. Together with the Divisions of material modelling and metallic high-temperature materials, these skills form a powerful competence in Department 5 for the safe and sustainable use of metallic materials.

As part of its research, the department focuses on projects in the areas of new materials (e.g. development and analysis of chemically complex alloys), new manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing) and energy technology (e.g. high-temperature corrosion under hydrogen atmospheres). The department also plays a leading role in the management of BAM's electron microscopy center and makes important contributions to failure analysis at BAM (especially metallography and fractography) and in the training of materials testers.