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A newly designed component or a new overall structure is to be qualified and the operating behaviour of the new material is not yet sufficiently assessed? Then we would be happy to support you. Our experts can advise you on a range of solutions from determining material parameters in the design stage, to identifying and executing suitable testing programmes. This may involve performing calculations, data generation, damage investigation, verification and ultimately product optimisation of individual components or an entire composite structure.


Additional Benefits

  • Access to independent and accredited testing facilities via an experienced partner, throughout the qualification process
  • Solving of complex problems with computational, experimental or analytical tools, all performed in-house
  • Cost-effective experimental testing, particularly for lengthy test regimes (e.g. fatigue testing)
  • Short response times and efficient processing due to a wealth of expertise and extensive resources
  • Insight into a broad spectrum of industrial sectors

 

Mechanical material characterisation of fibre-reinforced plastics, sandwich materials, bonded joints and injection moulding materials

For the evaluation of composite and plastic structures, together with their corresponding mechanical properties, we offer the following services:

  • Material characterisation and definition of suitable testing programmes
  • Design of suitable test specimens and concepts
  • Preparation of test specimens
  • Testing in an accredited laboratory (according to DIN EN ISO 17025)
    • Determination of mechanical parameters under quasi-static, dynamic and cyclic loading
    • Experimental procedures according to testing standards
    • Testing under uni-and multi-axial loading conditions
    • Investigations into the influence of environmental conditions on material behaviour (temperatures from -196 °C up to decomposition, varying humidity and surrounding media)
    • Studying the effects of pre-damage (impact, ageing)
    • Development and implementation of tailored tests
    • Accompanying computational strength analyses by means of analytical and numerical calculation methods

For more information regarding our laboratory facilities or the testing of components and structures, see „Fatigue Strength Testing Laboratory“ and „Structural Tests“.

 

Simulation of composite materials

Benefit from our experience in the field of "calculation and simulation" - we support you in the following areas:

  • Modelling of material behaviour for the digital twin in the field of virtual simulation
  • Computational strength analyses using analytical and numerical calculation methods, covering:
    • Modelling of processing and manufacturing effects
    • Finite element simulation of quasi-static, dynamic and cyclic loading scenarios
    • Calculations using different environments (Matlab, Python, Visual Basic, etc.)
    • Topology optimisation
  • Simulations from coupon level up to structural level
  • Method development for evaluation of fatigue strength of composite materials
  • Development and programming of material models and material behaviour for your digital twin (virtual simulation in product development)
  • Material database development involving:
    • Generation of efficient estimates for material properties using reduced testing approaches
    • Development of material data sets for common software tools (e.g. FEMFAT)

For more information, please refer to „Technical Calculations“ and „Shock Simulations for Naval Platforms“.

 

Non-destructive Testing

We can advise you on non-destructive testing (NDT) of laminates, components and structures. We can also provide assistance on performing NDT tests. Please contact us directly to discuss your options or find out more under „Materials Testing and Failure Analysis“ and „Structural tests“.

 

Fatigue strength assessment of composites from discontinuous fibre reinforced injection moulded components to continuous fibre reinforced plastics

For lightweight construction and the optimised design of injection-moulded components, essential manufacturing factors must be taken into account in addition to fibre orientation. These factors include the nature of loading (e.g. cyclic), ambient temperature levels, the effect of notches in interaction with temperature, humidity, ageing effects, and weld line quality.
With these in mind, we can offer you expert knowledge for product development and product assurance through:

  • Development of efficient design strategies tailored to your CAE infrastructure
  • Preparation of guidelines and know how transfer to your department
  • Preparation of material data sets considering relevant external influences
    • Experience, knowledge and literature research
    • Efficient and coordinated test planning, including specimen design
    • Testing of a wide range of samples (varying fibre orientation, notches and notch sharpness, weld lines) and environmental conditions (high temperature, low temperature, liquid nitrogen, humidity, ageing and climate aggregate)
    • Test evaluation and application-oriented model derivation
  • Fatigue life evaluation of injection moulded components and suggestions for design optimisation