Fraunhofer IWM is research and development partner in the field of component and systems reliability, safety, durability and functionality. It‘s “mechanics of materials” approach is used to identify weaknesses and defects in materials and components, determine their causes and develop solutions leading to the safer use of components, the development of functional materials and efficient manufacturing processes.

In the field of fiber reinforced composites, material characterizations from the macroscopic level of standard laboratory specimens down to the micromechanical level are performed under static, dynamic, cyclic and creep loading conditions. This expertise is complemented by a numerical competence in the simulation of materials and structures and the development of advanced material models.

Product innovation:

Probabilistic material models for fiber reinforced composites

Many discontinuously fiber reinforced materials such as short fiber composites, SMC and LFT materials but also standard unidirectionally fiber reinforced materials feature a distinctively disordered microstructure. This effect leads to a pronounced but unavoidable scatter and uncertainty in their macroscopic material properties. Towards a reliable prediction of the subsequent scatter in structural simulations, Fraunhofer IWM develops probabilistic material models to be implemented into commercial finite element programs. The modelling activities are complemented by an experimental strategy for material characterization for determination of
the corresponding material parameters and correlations on different scales.