Research

The research initiative focuses on the development of novel cellular lightweight materials and composites, based on open-cell metal foams. The research on reproducible processes, stretching across multiple projects, focuses on the industrial applicability of the research results.

The now feasible combination of dimensional stiffness, high damping properties and low dead weight is intended to offer the industry new and innovative design options to increase efficiency, which is achieved through cooperation across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Metallic foam structures

Metallic foam structures, highly porous metallic materials, have a very low density and, at the same time, offer excellent mechanical properties. In nature, the cellular structures occur as an example in bones or wood. They are ideal both as structural materials and functional materials. With regard to the methods and processes for synthesis and production, the diversity allows the processing of an enormously wide range of metals, alloys and material combinations. The possibilities of being able to directly influence the structure offer a high degree of scope for design, in terms of materials technology and construction. In this way, the optimum property combinations, required by the process, can be set in a targeted manner, for the respective application.

The "InSeL" research initiative

In the ZAFH research initiative "InSeL" - Innovative Foam Structures for Efficient Lightweight Construction, the IAM-MMS is working closely with university research partners from the universities of Karlsruhe, Pforzheim and Reutlingen, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen to develop process-reliable and reproducible manufacturing routes in foam structure synthesis, where the optimisation of metal foam production is being investigated both simulatively and experimentally.