Home·Research & Development·Competence Fields·Tailored Thermosets & Biomaterials

Tailored Thermosets & Biomaterials

The competence field develops high-performance multifunctional composites with thermoset matrix. As a bottom-up technology platform, an innovative "materials toolbox" is being developed and applied. New materials, preferably based on biogenic resources, and functional nano- and micro-reinforced materials as well as fibers are used to equip composites with tailored properties. Particular attention is paid to their sustainability and durability, even in aggressive environments, as well as their (chemical) recyclability at the end of their life cycle. To this end, environmentally friendly, scalable manufacturing and recycling processes are being developed and liquid materials are being processed from laboratory scale to quantities of 200 kg on an industrial scale.

The aim is to develop material innovations based on a mechanistic understanding and correlation of processes, structures and properties. State-of-the-art analytical techniques from the spectrum of engineering, chemical and physical methods are used, such as fracture mechanics in media, atomic force microscopy with IR mapping and temperature-modulated optical refractometry.

Dr.-Ing.

Bernd Wetzel

Research Director Materials Science & Manager Tailored Thermosets & Biomaterials and Tribology

Special Expertise: Multifunctional thermosets, nanocomposites, tribology, fracture mechanics, structure-property relationships

Telephone: +49 631 2017 119

Multifunctional properties of polymer composites

Model structure of delignified wood

Special Expertise

  • Broad expertise in material selection, processing, and characterization
  • Development of thermoset composites with tailored and multifunctional properties
  • Scalable processing technologies and methods according to industrial standards
  • Further development of characterization methods
Economic Sectors Applications (Examples)
Automotive Tribologica coatings, Biobased foams
Aeronautics & Space Multifunctional matrices
Engineering and systems engineering Roller covers, slide bearings
Energy Toughened polymer matrices
Construction Durable reinforcements, Insulation foams

Materials and Questions

Typical Materials

  • Reactive systems
  • Biobased materials
  • Micro-/nanofillers
  • Wood
  • Fibers

Typical Questions

  • How can properties and processability of thermosets be improved without increase of costs?
  • Which thermosets are resistant against strong alkaline media in order to reach high durability in applications?
  • Which equivalent or better material can substitute a material that is no longer available on the market?

Projects in this field

Antimicrobial/antiviral protection on the nano-level

SUSAAN - SUStainable Antimicrobial and Antiviral Nanocoating

[Translate to English:]

BFKcraft

Basalt Fiber Lamellae for Static Building Renovation

The project investigates and develops eco-efficient basalt fiber composite lamellae and their manufacturing processes for reinforcement systems for static building refurbishment.

 

Bio-Based Non-Isocyante and Phosgene-Free Polyurethanes

[Translate to English:]

BIOMAT

An Open Innovation Test Bed for Nano-Enabled Bio-Based PUR Foams and Composites

[Translate to English:]

Chemical Recycling of Bio-Based PU

[Translate to English:]

EasyEntry2TPC

Thermoplastic liquid impregnation

Thermoplastic liquid impregnation for rapid entry into the production of continuously fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites based on established thermoset process chains

[Translate to English:]

High Performance Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites

Based on Thermosetting Matrices

[Translate to English:]

Waste2Wood

Modified and compacted high-performance wood from native wood residues for structural components

Aim of the project is to develop sustainable and efficient wood-based materials.

Publications from the IVW papers in this field of competence

  • Popov, V.

    Quantifizierung von Defekten in endlosfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen mit Hilfe der Amplituden- und Phaseninformationen im Rahmen der aktiven und passiven Thermografie

  • Klingler, A.

    Morphology and Fracture of Block Copolymer and Core-Shell Rubber Particle Modified Epoxies and their Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites

  • Kopietz, M.

    Modifizierte, phosphatfreie Organomineralharze in glas- und basaltfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen

  • Hassinger, I.

    Analyse und Entwicklung des Extrusionsprozesses zur Erhöhung der Dispersionsqualität von Nanopartikel-Polyamid 6-Verbundwerkstoffen

  • Zhou, R.

    Nanoparticle-Filled Thermoplastics and Thermoplastic Elastomer: Structure - Property Relationships

  • Noll, A.

    Effektive Multifunktionalität von monomodal, bimodal und multimodal mit Kohlenstoff-Nanoröhren, Graphit und kurzen Kohlenstofffasern gefülltem Polyphenylensulfid

  • Knör, N. F.

    Einfluss der Verarbeitungstechnologie und Werkstoffzusammensetzung auf die Struktur-Eigenschafts-Beziehungen von thermoplastischen Nanoverbundwerkstoffen

  • Medina, R.

    Rubber Toughened and Nanoparticle Reinforced Epoxy Composites

  • Bittmann, B.

    Ultraschalldispergierung von anorganischen Nanopartikeln in Epoxidharz und Charakterisierung der resultierenden Werkstoffe

  • Siengchin, S.

    Water-Mediated Melt Compounding to Produce Thermoplastic Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: Structure-Property Relationships

  • Harsch, M.

    Methoden und Ansätze zur spannungsarmen Vernetzung von Epoxidharzen

  • Zhang, H.

    Fracture of Nanoparticle Filled Polymer Composites

  • Yang, J.

    Characterization, Modeling and Prediction of the Creep Resistance of Polymer Nanocomposites

  • Wetzel, B.

    Mechanische Eigenschaften von Nanoverbundwerkstoffen aus Epoxydharz und keramischen Nanoparktikeln

  • Wiedmer, S.

    Zur Pultrusion von thermoplastischen Halbzeugen: Prozessanalyse und Modellbildung

  • Gatos, K.G.

    Structure-Property Relationships in Rubber/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

  • Rosso, P.

    Erfassung und Bewertung von Grenzschichteffekten in neuartigen kohlenstofffaserverstärkten Polymeren

  • Jost, N.

    Vernetzung und Chemorheologie von Duromeren mit hybrider und interpenetrierender Struktur

  • Hoffmann, J.

    Entwicklung einer neuartigen Fertigungstechnik zur Herstellung resorbierbarer Microfibrillarer Composites

  • Rodermund, D.

    Styrolfreie Vinylesterharze zur Verwendung in Verbunddübeln

  • Fuhrmann, I.

    Photochemische Modifizierung von Gummipartikeln - ein Beitrag zur stofflichen Wiederverwertung von Altgummi

  • Barkoula, N.-M.

    Solid particle erosion behaviour of polymers and polymeric composites

  • Papke, N.

    Neue thermoplastische Elastomere mit co-kontinuierlicher Phasenstruktur auf Basis von Polyester/Elastomer Blends unter Verwendung gezielt chemisch funktionalisierter Elastomere

  • Gremmels, J.

    Partieller hygrothermischer Abbau von Polyester-Polyurethan und dessen Anwendung - ein Beitrag zur Entwicklung eines neuen Recyclingverfahrens

  • Bechtold, G.

    Pultrusion von geflochtenen und axial verstärkten Thermoplast-Halbzeugen und deren zerstörungsfreie Porengehaltsbestimmung

    External Publications "Tailored Thermosets & Biomaterials"

    The effect of block copolymer and core-shell rubber hybrid toughening on morphology and fracture of epoxy-based fibre reinforced composites.

    Engineering Fracture Mechanics 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.engfrac-mech.2018.06.044

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013794418300778

    SUSAAN - SUStainable Antimicrobial and Antiviral Nanocoating
    Flyer (PDF)

    The effect of block copolymer and core-shell rubber hybrid toughening on morphology and fracture of epoxy-based fibre reinforced composites.

    Engineering Fracture Mechanics 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.engfrac-mech.2018.06.044

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013794418300778

    Preparation and characterization of bionanocomposite films based on wheat starch and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-021-04017-z

    Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Lamellas for Renovation of Concrete Structures

    https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040790

    Synthesis, characterization, spectral properties and evaluation of the photophys- ical behavior of novel Congo Red based polymers

    10.1016/j. optmat.2022.113268

    New substituted pentazadienes as initiators of free-radical polymerization: synthesis, photochemical properties and perspectives for holographic media

    10.1080/10601325.2023.2257741

    Flexural and fracture mechanical properties of in situ particulate reinforced organomineral hybrid resins modified by organofunctional silanes

    Composites Science and Technology 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.02.013

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266353818328367

    Chemically Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals as Reactive Filler in Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams

    https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152556

    Temperature-rate induced polymerization and phase separation of block copolymer toughened polymer composites

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109329

    Simultaneous access to different types of volume changes and the degree of cure during isothermal polymerization of polymer networks

    doi: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2022.87

    3D printing and modelling of continuous carbon fibre reinforced composite grids with enhanced shear modulus

    10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116165

    Thermal volume expansion as seen by temperature-modulated optical refractometry, oscillating dilatometry and thermo-mechanical analysis

    10.1016/j.polymertesting.2024.108340

    Eco-friendly and Sustainable Processing of Wood Based Materials

    Green Chem., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/D0GC04430J.

    https://doi.org/10.1039/D0GC04430J

    Reactive Layer Assembly Sustains an Interlocked Structure in Green
    Processed and Scalable High-Performance Layered Wood

    https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c03468

    On volume changes during homopolymerization of polymer networks
    accessed via “Temperature modulated optical refractometry”

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2022.179185

    Influence of enzymatically hydrophobized hemp protein on morphology and mechanical properties of bio-based polyurethane and epoxy foams

    10.3390/polym15173608

    Vitrimer Transition phenomena from the perspective of thermal volume expansion and shape (in)stability

    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00207

    The thermo-optical coefficient as an alternative probe for the structural arrest of polymeric glass formers

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.126868

    Novel Approach in B-Staging of an Epoxy Resin for Development of rCF Non-Woven Prepregs for RTP Processing

    https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.809.521

    Low velocity impact resistance of thin and toughened carbon fibre reinforced epoxy

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109362

    Significance of nickel particles on reducing friction and wear of polyimide subjected to harsh boundary lubrication conditions

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2022.108063

    Low velocity impact resistance of thin and toughened carbon fibre reinforced epoxy

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109362

    Significance of nickel particles on reducing friction and wear of polyimide subjected to harsh bound- ary lubrication conditions

    10.1016/j.tri- boint.2022.108063

    Controlled interlayer binding and healing improve the transverse properties of upcycled disposable waste wood

    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.4c03707

    Temperature-controlled molecular bonding hysteresis: interphase dynamics of a nanoparticle-modified polymer network

    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00406

    ← Smart Composites & Nondestructive Testing
    ↰ Competence Fields
    Tribology →