Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials

The Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM (Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoffmechanik) in Freiburg, Germany, is a division of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft which focuses upon application-oriented research. The Fraunhofer IWM is a research and development partner for both industry and public institutions whose themes include the safety, reliability, life expectancy and functionality of materials in components and manufacturing processes. The broad spectrum of services offered by the Fraunhofer IWM's business units aid their clients and project partners in the assessment and continuing development of highly stressed materials and components and in the optimization of production process. Established in 1971 in Freiburg in Breisgau, the institute expanded in 1992 to include a location in Halle (Saale). On 1 January 2016 the Halle division of the Fraunhofer IWM became the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of materials and Systems IMWS.

Competencies
Mechanics of Materials at the Fraunhofer IWM address all issues concerning functionality, behavior and the specific properties of materials from the development stage through manufacture, processing and application. Via the material-mechanical expertise of the scientists at the institute, the properties, functionality and stress limitations of materials and components are assessed, adjusted and improved as per specific requirements set forth by their clients. This in-depth know-how lies within situations in which complex and extreme load conditions exist for materials in components and manufacturing processes as well as in performance and efficiency improvements that can only be achieved through a holistic understanding of the various aspects involved. The interaction between experimentation and simulations yields solutions to materials-related issues for nearly all industry sectors. The scientific, technical “tools” that make up the core competencies of the institute consist of:

Material and component characterization
The Fraunhofer IWM characterizes and assesses material properties within components and production processes as well as the behavior of components across several scales and analyzes the development, manufacturing and application of materials and components and offers critical support by realizing new functionalities and processing steps.

Material modeling and simulation
In order to derive the properties of materials from their internal structure, Fraunhofer IWM develops and uses mechanism-based material models. Such structure-property relationships can be used to influence the development of structures during manufacture and in use.

Tribology and surface design
Stress and loads which affect the surfaces of components are analyzed and modified for optimal functionality and performance.

Research
Research and development activities at the Fraunhofer IWM are organized into five business units where similar project topics are grouped together in each unit. Pools of experts with the necessary competencies to achieve the desired goal are assembled from the various groups.

Manufacturing Processes
A vast understanding of processes and sophisticated simulation techniques enables the design of efficient and safe manufacturing processes. Services include investigations into the technological development of manufacturing processes for the production of semi-finished products and components with functional properties. This work ranges from powder technology processes, including complex fluid systems, to microfluids, the forming and processing of ductile materials as well as processing techniques for brittle materials and glass forming.

Tribology
This business unit carries out research into friction and wear. Tribological systems are optimized and solutions are developed that reduce friction and protect against wear with the aid of technical ceramics, innovative lubricants, tribological layer systems and tribo-materials conditioned for manufacturing technology. Friction, abrasion, running-in and wear mechanisms are investigated as they affect the tribo-chemistry of machine elements such as roller and slide bearings, cutting and forming tools or motor and gear elements. Experimental techniques, multi-scale modeling and numerical simulations as well as microstructure analysis are employed.

Component Safety and Lightweight Construction
This work is centered on the assessment of a component's safety and its fitness for purpose in terms of safety-relevant demands under operational loads. The applications range from proving the safety of power station components to confirming the fault tolerances of aerospace components, the life expectancy analysis of components in power stations and vehicles subjected to thermomechanical loads to crash analyses of vehicle components. The focus is on the operational behavior of modern materials as well as joins and hybrid constructions. Development work is also carried out on mechanism-based material models for a wide range of applications with which to describe the deformation and failure behavior of components under thermal and mechanical loads. Crash analysis increasingly involves determining the influence of the manufacturing process on the failure behavior of vehicle structures.

Assessment of Materials, Lifetime Concepts
The influence of microstructures, internal stresses and damage on component functionality and life expectancy are assessed. Particular interest is paid to linking specific analyses and experiments with advanced material models as well as in understanding the demands placed on components. The work is focused on modeling cyclical thermomechanical loads and on identifying the degradation mechanisms involved in corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement. In acute cases of damage, the institute can carry out surveys.

Finances and staff
At 26.3 million euro, the Fraunhofer IWM's operating budget increased slightly compared to the previous year. The share of industrial income in the 2023 operating budget was 30.2 percent. Investments amounted to 2.2 million euro.

At the end of 2023, a total of 324 people were employed at the Fraunhofer IWM. Of these, 258 employees were permanent staff and 66 employees were employed as support staff. The permanent staff consisted of 172 scientific employees, 30 technical employees and 56 employees in administration and institute management. 10 apprentices were trained in four professions.