Description
This topic field focuses on the experimental characterization of fiber-reinforced composite materials to provide reliable material data for component design, numerical simulations, and validation. Research activities include standardized mechanical testing, the development of new testing methods, thermal and chemical analyses, and the investigation of material behavior under extreme conditions such as high strain rates, cryogenic temperatures, and thermal runaway scenarios. Furthermore, new application fields are explored, particularly in hydrogen storage, manufacturing processes, and advanced materials. The objective is to achieve a deeper understanding and improved performance of composite structures through the combination of experimentation, analysis, and simulation.

Key Areas and Objectives

• Development and validation of novel testing methods for fiber-reinforced composites
• Mechanical characterization of composites under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions
• Investigation of material behavior under extreme conditions (cryogenic temperatures, high strain rates, thermal runaway)
• Thermal, chemical, and physical material analysis
• Provision of reliable material properties for numerical models and digital twins
• Development of experimental methods for the characterization of hydrogen storage structures
• Integration of experiments, data analysis, and simulations to improve predictive accuracy

Topic Lead
Gabriel Eduardo Rojas Valenzuela, M.Eng.;