Nitride Ceramics and Fiber Composites

The working group has proven expertise in the field of nitride ceramics, in particular silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) and sialon. We also develop and test ceramic fiber composites (CMC) and environmental barrier coatings (EBC) based on oxide and non-oxide ceramic systems for use in high-temperature applications. The adaptation and optimization of materials to their subsequent application is supported by application-oriented characterization methods.

For the development of thermo-mechanically highly loaded materials and the component design, unique testing technology is available for the determination of mechanical characteristic values up to 1600 °C. In addition, we modify testing solutions on customer request, such as the notched ball test for the strength determination of ceramic ball bearing balls or the testing of thin substrates for SOFC/SOEC and power electronics applications. The test setups and loading regimes can be validated by accompanying load simulation.

Services offered

• Application-oriented development and optimization of nitride ceramics (Si3N4, Sialon, AlN, BN) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) as well as corresponding components
• Material and component characterization (mechanical, electrical, thermal, tribological, corrosion, high temperature, oxidation)
• Optimization of manufacturing processes
• Example applications: Gas turbines, wear tools, cutting tools, power electronics, aerospace industry, bearings.

Technical equipment

• Laboratory for mechanical testing with test temperatures up to 1600 °C
• Hot gas corrosion test stand
• Pin-on-disc tribometer