Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

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Assessment of Plastics, Processes and Components

With Fraunhofer IMWS's in-situ CT facility, test specimens can be imaged in three dimensions while under load (tension or compression).

The in-depth understanding of materials and the relationship between their microstructure and their behavior during processing and in service is the foundation of all activities at Fraunhofer IMWS. In the field of polymer processing, we apply this expertise to help clients with a variety of methods in evaluating plastics, processes, and components.

This includes:

  • Material characterization: analysis of the physical and chemical properties of plastics
  • Service life and aging studies: investigation of long-term stability and aging processes under environmental influences
  • Damage analysis: identification and assessment of defects
  • Testing methods: application and further development of testing methods to evaluate material properties

 

4-Punkt-Biege-Versuch mit optischer Messung.

One key value for customers is Fraunhofer IMWS's broad range of methods. In addition to the appropriate equipment, highly competent specialists are available for the various techniques. Examples:

  • Mechanical testing methods: Characterization of mechanical behavior under both service- and process-induced loads using experimental and numerical methods, for example to evaluate the use of polymer-based fiber-reinforced composites in highly loaded lightweight structures and components, as well as to assess manufacturing defects and damages (e.g., delaminations).
  • Non-destructive material and component testing: Using techniques such as ultrasound, X-ray CT, and thermography to detect features such as cracks, porosity, fiber orientation, or material fatigue to assess material integrity and quality.
  • Development and execution of structural and component tests: For specific requirements, we develop our own test procedures and setups to reliably evaluate performance, safety, and durability.
  • Rheological testing: For characterizing flow properties and deformation (viscosity).
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA): Evaluation of mechanical properties and viscoelastic behavior over temperature and frequency.
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Determination of thermal properties such as melting and glass transition temperatures.
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): Analysis of thermal stability and decomposition of plastics.
  • High-resolution methods for microstructure diagnostics: such as scanning electron microscopy to study surface structure and morphology.
  • X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Investigation of the crystalline structure of polymer materials