Nitride Ceramics and Structural Ceramics with Electrical Function

The research group has proven expertise in both fields of nitride ceramics and ceramics with tailored electrical functions. The main focus of our work is on silicon nitride, sialons for wear applications and structural ceramics which are adaptable between high electrical conductivity and high electrical insulation effect. Due to their excellent chemical and mechanical stability, these materials can be used advantageously under extreme conditions but also in everyday life.

For high-temperature application areas, we also develop and test ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and environmental barrier coatings (EBC) based on oxide and non-oxide ceramic systems.

For the development of nitride as well as electrically functional structural ceramics and the adaptation of their mechanical, electrical and thermal properties we use a wide range of application-specific characterization methods (mechanical, electrical, tribological, corrosion, oxidation, high temperature). Fraunhofer IKTS is able to map the entire value-added chain and thus transfer materials with customized properties to prototypes and small series. For special design or property-related requirements, we develop suitable joining technologies.

Services offered

• Application-oriented development and optimization of nitride ceramics (silicon nitride and sialons) ceramic matrix composites (CMC), ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC) and electrically functional structural ceramics
• Material and component characterization (mechanical, electrical, tribological, corrosion, oxidation, high temperature)
• High-temperature joining by soldering and bonding
• Applications: gas turbines, heating elements, thermoelectrics, wear tools