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Material Cycles

This research group focuses on 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 biopolymers from renewable sources. The second focus is on the recycling of materials and components made of composites, and especially those with carbon fibers, since it is another important aspect in the optimal use of raw materials.

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, add value through additional functionality. Understanding this fundamentally is also the subject of research in this competence field

Schematic representation of the short and long-term carbon cycle

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 material properties such as:
  • Thermal degradation in controlled environments
  • Melting and crystallization behavior as well as curing behavior of polymers
  • Thermal expansion and shrinkage
  • High resolution structural analysis incl. determination of fiber orientation and void content
  • Damage analysis and investigation of impurities
  • Surface energy analysis and wetting behavior
Economic Sectors Applications (Examples)
Aeronautics & Space Secondary structures
Automotive Structural components & secondary structures
Engineering Polymeric bearings and complex parts
Construction Industry Fiber reinforced concrete

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.

Halocycles

Sustainable Cycles for PFAS Enabled by Electrochemistry

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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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.

[Translate to English:]

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.

[Translate to English:]

Waste2BioComp

New biobased polyesters for biodegradable textile, packaging, footwear applications

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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