Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
Triboconditioning and -analytics Location Karlsruhe
The causes of tribological problems can be found at various levels - from the nano to the micro or the macro scale. Molecular interactions at the atomic level characterize, for instance, the behavior of a lubricant in combination with a specific surface. Mesoscopic effects, such as the effects of the microstructure, roughness and surface strength, are equally important.
In order to understand wear mechanisms, we take a damage mechanics and energy-based approach as well as continuous, high-resolution friction and wear measurements. We identify the effects of tribological loads close to the material surface, e.g. during final processing or running-in, with the aid of surface physics and surface chemistry methods. One of the group’s focal points is sport tribology - the group develops, for example, coatings for skis and optimizes the runners on sporting equipment.
What we offer
- Friction and wear analysis for components in mechanical engineering applications
- Mechanochemistry for the development of of new additives for wear protection
- Basic research to understand elementary tribological mechanisms
- Running-in optimization
- Surface analysis with SEM, FIB and XPS
- Topography analysis with WLI and AFM
- Fretting measurements in load ranges from a few millinewton to 500 Newton
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