The Computational Materials Design Department aims at the development and application of hierarchical and fully parameter-free multiscale methods which will allow to simulate iron, steel and related materials with hitherto unprecedented accuracy. The department is organized in groups which are specialized in methods applicable to specific length and time scales (thermodynamics, microstructure, solidification) and which are closely interlinked by joint method development.
Investigation of environmentally accelerated degradation of surfaces and interfaces like corrosion and deadhesion and the engineering of new and stable surfaces and interfaces
The department has its main focus on chemical reactions and physical properties of surfaces and interfaces. Materials based on metals, polymers and metal/ceramics or metal/polymer composites are of particular interest.
The department for Microstructure Physics and Metal Forming conducts fundamental and applied research on the relationship between processing, microstructure, and properties of structural materials with particular emphasis on steels. Detailed characterization and basic understanding of microstructure evolution under complex thermomechanical history and boundary conditions and its relevance for the mechanical behaviour plays a key role in our projects. Particular pronunciation is placed on the close integration of continuum theory and experiment.
The department Material Diagnostics and Steel Technology specializes in fundamental and applied research on non-destructive material characterization using diffraction, scattering and tomography. We aim at understanding material behavior and damage under complex loading conditions focusing on iron base materials and steels.
The development of high performance steels with superior physical and mechanical properties like lower density, higher elastic stiffness and strength, excellent formability etc. is of great technical and economical interest. The detailed characterization of deformation and hardening mechanism considering microstructure and composition are necessary requirements for alloy optimization. In such a way new classes of steels have been introduced for further industrial development.
