Materials and Process Analysis

Analysis of ceramic raw materials and processes

• Chemical and phase composition (XRF/XRD)
• Particle size and shape analysis in the nano- to millimeter range
• Suspension characterization (rheological properties, surface conductivity, suspension stability)
• Thermal analysis as well as thermophysical and chemical properties (TG/DTA DSC, dilatometry including gas analytics in a wide variety of atmospheres from -150 °C to 2400 °C)

Structural and microstructural analysis

• Standard methods of ceramographic preparation
• Ion beam preparation techniques (BIB/FIB)
• High-resolution analysis of microstructures and surfaces using FESEM (EDX, WDX, EBSD)
• TEM cross-sectional analysis including EDX, EELS, EFTEM
• X-ray computer tomography in the micro- and nano-range, X-ray microscopy
• Pore distribution (Hg porosimetry, permeation porosimetry, N2/Kr adsorption and N2/Kr desorption, pycnometry)
• X-ray diffractometry, from room temperature to 1400 °C

Physical properties of materials and components, from room temperature to high temperatures

• Mechanical strength, fracture toughness, elastic constants and hardness up to 1550 °C
• Nanohardness, local elastic properties (AFM, AFAM, nano-indenter), adhesion strength
• Properties of porous and highly porous materials (e.g. membranes, particle filters, catalysts)
• Thermophysical properties (including heat conductivity, heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient)
• Electrical and dielectrical properties (specific resistance from μΩcm to 10¹⁵ Ωcm)

Corrosion and tribological properties

• Corrosion in solutions (T < 250 °C, pressure up to 35 bar) and gases (T < 2000 °C), hot gas testing (burner test stands up to 1500 °C, gas velocity up to 100 m/s)
• Electrochemical characterization
• Tribology and wear (oscillating sliding testing at room temperature and higher temperatures, abrasion testing)

Quality and safety testing

• Climate chambers (-80 °C to 1000 °C), salt spray chamber
• Unicameral and bicameral temperature shocker
• Vibration test stand for 600 kg and 200 g
• Specific contact resistance, surface resistance, dielectric strength, creeping and dielectric properties

Accredited laboratories (DIN EN ISO/EC 17025)

• Thermoanalysis and thermophysics
• Particle and suspension characterization
• Laboratory for quality assurance and reliability

Modeling and simulation

• Finite element analysis (FEM): ANSYS (Emag/Mech), COMSOL Multiphysics, FlexPDE, Atila
• Flow velocity simulation: Fluent
• Systems simulation: Matlab/Simulink, Simulation X, Dymola/ Modelica
• Thermodynamic simulation: FactSage