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Material Cycles

The Material Cycles competence field deals with fundamental issues related to the use of materials in a closed carbon cycle. Particular attention is paid to the use of renewable raw materials, such as natural fibers or fillers, chemicals and polymers from renewable sources. In addition, the recycling of materials and components made of composites, with a focus on carbon fibers, is an important aspect in the optimal use of raw materials and thus part of the competence field activities.

Across topics, thermal resistance and surface properties for best possible fiber-matrix bonding and high-performance use are key issues. Naturally occurring structures in natural fibers can, if used in a targeted manner, provide added value through additional functionality. Understanding this fundamentally is also the subject of research in the competence field.

Economic Sectors Applications (Examples)
Aeronautics & Space Secondary structures
Automotive Structural components & secondary structures
Engineering Polymeric bearings and complex parts
Construction Industry Fiber reinforced concrete

Dr.

Barbara Güttler

Manager Material Cycles

Special Expertise: Biocomposites, carbon fiber recycling, materials analytics, method development, bioeconomy

Telephone: +49 631 2017 462

Special Expertise

  • Modern testing facilities with coupling options for several material properties
  • High-resolution 2D and 3D structure determination of composite materials incl. analyses of damage

Materials and Questions

Typical Materials

  • Polymers, fibers and additives from renewable resources
  • Recycled fibers and polymers
  • Materials from their end-of-life phase

Typical Questions

  • How can materials from end-of-life components be brought into new high-performance applications with consistent quality?
  • Where can sustainable materials be used and add value to composite applications?
  • How do the properties of natural fibers influence the behavior of composite materials?

Projects in this field

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Composites and Sustainability

This project aims to apply the TMOR method for determining thermal volume expansion of polymers and composites and as well as the fundamentally related material phenomena.

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Properties of Natural Fibers

Development of carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials with maximum cyclic strength for applications in ultra-fast rotating flywheels.

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Recycling of CFRP with thermoplastic matrix

In addition to the recycling of valuable materials after an aircraft has been in use, the reprocessing of production waste in the manufacture of components can also make a contribution to protecting the environment and reducing costs.

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Simultaneous FTIR-Rheology-Testing

In addition to the recycling of valuable materials after an aircraft has been in use, the reprocessing of production waste in the manufacture of components can also make a contribution to protecting the environment and reducing costs.

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Structure Elucidation with X-Ray Microscopy

In addition to the recycling of valuable materials after an aircraft has been in use, the reprocessing of production waste in the manufacture of components can also make a contribution to protecting the environment and reducing costs.

Publications from the IVW papers in this field of competence

  • Dollhofer, J.

    Bruchmechanische Charakterisierung der Adhäsion an Polymer/Glas-Grenzflächen

  • Taipalus, R.

    Elektrische und mechanische Eigenschaften von unverstärkten, glas- und kohlenstofffaserverstärkten elektrisch leitfähigen Thermoplasten

    External Publications "Material Cycles"

    Evaluation of recycled carbon fibre/epoxy composites: Thermal degradation behaviour of pyrolysed and virgin carbon fibres using thermogravimetric analysis

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aiepr.2021.03.003

    Why should I care about carbon and circular production?

    https://www.dwih-newyork.org/en/event/2022-03_circular_production/

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