The industry's demand for high-quality and therefore more durable materials is growing - also in view of the need to reduce CO2 emissions and minimise the use of resources. An improved degree of purity of materials can contribute to this. This enables lightweight construction methods, for example, in which the same requirements for strength and fatigue resistance can be met with significantly less material input. This can also reduce fuel consumption in cars and aeroplanes.
Researchers at the Institute of Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics are therefore working closely with other institutes at TU Bergakademie Freiberg to research new, customised ceramic filters that effectively remove unwanted impurities in the production process of metallic materials and thus improve the material properties. The Chair of Engineering Mechanics - Solid Mechanics contributes its expertise in the modelling and simulation of solids. Research into the mechanical behaviour of high-temperature materials during deformation, fracture and other damage is an important focus. This includes refractory materials for steel production, materials for turbocharger and turbine components under thermomechanical stress and also the development of high-temperature electrolysers for the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, so-called green hydrogen.
The team's aim is to bridge the gap between basic research and the evaluation of technical applications in practice. For example, it develops software for use in companies in order to transfer research results for industrial application. Model-based predictions of the service life of technical components help to conserve resources. Components are then more reliable, can be used for longer and require less maintenance. Simulation-based pre-selection of the best candidates for a design or a new material can significantly reduce the number of costly laboratory tests - such as vehicle crash tests. In virtual experiments, it is even possible to analyse the properties of materials even before they are manufactured.
In addition, the institute offers practical partners support with industry-related research projects and services. This includes the determination of material properties in laboratory tests. Here, the professorship has specialised in small sample tests, among other things, which can be offered in a very broad temperature range between minus 180 and 1600 degrees Celsius.