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Material innovation through powder metallurgy and state-of-the-art technologies
Main topics:
− Cellular materials – multi-functional and lightweight
− Hollow sphere structures absorb sound
− 3-D precision direct printed structures
− Regenerators made from sintered metallic short fibres
− Nanostructured composite materials
− Aluminium- and magnesium high-performance materials
− Spark plasma sintering techniques (SPS)
− Solid-state hydrogen storage
IFAM Dresden is involved in fundamental and applied research to develop new sintered and composite materials, as well as cellular metallic materials manufactured with innovative powder metallurgical technologies. The scope of our services includes the industrial implementation of the results we obtain, up to the manufacture of prototype components.
Substantial experience with technology and material structures makes it possible for us to design cellular metallic- and composite materials, in which combinations of properties are tailored to individual applications. The development of materials and components is facilitated by special technologies, such as melt-spinning, melt extraction, wet powder spraying, metallic direct printing- and molding techniques. Powder characterisations and tests of sintered materials are carried out in an accredited testing laboratory according to DIN/ ISO standards.
This new class of cellular metallic materials is not only characterised by very low density, but also specific properties, such as a high level of absorption of mechanical deformation energy, excellent sound absorption, thermal insulation capability and a relatively high specific surface. At IFAM, in addition to open-cell foams, we develop hollow sphere-, fibre-, 3D-direct printed- and 3D wire structures. These materials can be produced in a wide range of porosity, either as closed-, open porous- or gradient structures.
The wide range of properties opens up possibilities for applications in structural and functional lightweight construction; in crash elements, in particular for vehicles; in filters, thermal insulations and sound absorbers, catalysts, heat exchangers, pore burners; and in reinforcement elements for composites or biomaterials.
Another major focus of R&D at IFAM is on sintered materials based on metals and intermetallic phases, as well as metallic and intermetallic composite- and gradient materials making use of and applying powder metallurgy technologies (e.g. spark plasma sintering). Examples of application include materials for thermal management in electronics; thermo electrical materials; friction materials, such as friction layers under oil; light metals, such as high-strength and wear-resistant aluminium alloys; and high-temperature materials such as oxidation resistant and corrosion-resistant Ni- and Fe based alloys and intermetallic phases.
The latest research at IFAM Dresden is in material development in connection with hydrogen technology, such as solid-state hydrogen storage.
Contact institute director:
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Advanced Materilas (IFAM), Dresden Branch Lab Powder Metallurgy and Composite Materials
Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Kieback
Winterbergstrasse 28, D-01277 Dresden
Phone.: +49 (0) 351/ 2537-300
Fax: +49 (0) 351/ 2537-399
E-Mail: info@ifam-dd.fraunhofer.de
Internet: www.ifam-dd.fraunhofer.de
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