Technologies

Fraunhofer IFAM has now developed a novel solution for the dynamic improvement of the kinematics: the hybrid drive for industrial robots.

UNDERSTANDING AND OPTIMIZING INTERFACES | Surface and interface properties play a crucial role in the quality and performance of numerous products and industrial processes. Even the slightest contamination can affect coating and manufacturing processes, compromising their functionality. This applies to applications such as adhesive bonding, painting, printing, and metallization. Fraunhofer IFAM offers a wide range of analytical methods for comprehensive chemical and structural surface analysis at the nanoscale.

The development and evaluation of customized materials and adhesives is a central focus of our institute's work. Adhesives as composite materials play a major role in this. The outstanding properties of these adhesives are due to the fact that the composite has different properties than the individual components. This is also where the great potential lies, because there is a wide range of raw materials that - cleverly formulated - can optimize the final properties of an adhesive. This gives the adhesive certain properties, such as electrical or thermal conductivity, toughness, flame retardancy and also recyclability, which is increasingly in focus.

Thermally conductive adhesives, potting compounds and gap fillers, also commonly referred to as TIM, are used wherever components are to be thermally contacted. Until a few years ago, the main area of application for these materials was in microelectronics, e.g. to reliably dissipate the heat loss from highly integrated circuits or power semiconductors into cooling systems. With the progress of electric vehicles, the market for such products has grown considerably. They have become an indispensable key component that ensures the performance and longevity of the vehicle battery. Future applications include electrical energy storage for wind turbines and in the field of electrolysis for the production of hydrogen.

Increasing demands on productivity, resource efficiency and health protection require very special adhesives for many applications. This requires special formulations that are often not yet available on the market. This is where we are the right development partner. The focus of our R&D work is on harnessing novel raw materials for adhesives with previously unattainable properties, such as debonding on demand or extreme fast curing. The issue of sustainability is also becoming increasingly important for companies. Here we focus on the use of renewable and toxicologically safe raw materials in reactive polymer systems.

TESTING LABORATORY FOR PAINTS, COATINGS AND CORROSION | In the development of paints and coatings as well as the accompanying quality management, standardized suitability tests of the paint are necessary in order to obtain the most accurate characterization of the coating system. Fraunhofer IFAM offers a wide range of test methods to determine and verify adhesion, elasticity, hardness, chemical resistance, and weather resistance. Paint testing is carried out both on liquid paints and on cured coatings. Depending on the application, these are subjected to varying loads – under laboratory conditions or in outdoor weathering. For this purpose, the researchers use standardized test procedures, but also develop customized test and testing methods if required.

Corrosion poses a serious threat to the longevity and functionality of metallic components. It is caused by environmental influences and contact with corrosive media, leading to enormous economic damage worldwide. In an industrialized nation, the direct costs of corrosion are estimated to be around three to four percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) annually. Early prevention is therefore crucial to preserving assets and minimizing costs.

ADHESIVE FILMS AND COATINGS BASED ON BENZOXAZINE - STORAGE-STABLE AND NON-MELTABLE | Repairing fiber composite components is often time-consuming and requires multiple processing steps and curing cycles of the resin. Typical restoration of the function or appearance of a damaged area is carried out using a wet lamination process or application of reinforcing structures on the surface. Therefore, if an adhesive film or coating based on benzoxazines is used instead this enables comparatively simpler repair and adhesive bonding, with final strength being achieved within 30 minutes.

Reliable demolding, optimized efficiency and quality: release agent-free FRP large component production

DEVELOPMENT TEST BENCH FOR ENERGY- AND RESOURCE-EFFICIENT E-MACHINES | Fraunhofer IFAM has been engaged in research within in the field of electric drive technology for many years. To identify optimization potential at an early stage during the development of electric machines, the institute has electric motor test benches in the power range <3kW and in the range from 20kW to 100kW. The performance of new technologies, developments or concepts in electric drives can be assessed here – this includes, in particular, the characterization of the operating behavior of electric machines (prototypes) beyond merely gathering of simulation data, throughpractical experiments.