With about 150 employees (including approx. 60 scientific staff and approx. 25 test engineers) in the fields of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, materials technology, energy technology, computer science, plastics technology, civil engineering, mechanics, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering and information technology we are involved in seven areas of competence with the main activities of research, development and teaching, in particular in the fields of:

  • Development and investigation of materials, components and products, also at high temperatures
  • Qualification of materials and products
  • Materials analysis,
  • Surface and coating technology,
  • Testing methods,
  • Life cycle analysis,
  • Failure analysis
  • Calibration technology and
  • Product certification.

In areas which require a confirmation of competence, the Center for Structural Materials has recognitions and accreditations.

Research focuses on the holistic evaluation of component properties in the relationship field of material – production – structural design – component stress, while material testing and monitoring focus on the determination of technical, physical and chemical properties of materials, semi-finished products and components.

The close connection of MPA and IfW guarantees an efficient use of personnel competences and equipment as well as an optimal technical-scientific exchange of information. This ensures that the necessary competence for research and development, damage analysis and consulting can be bundled and provided for services in an optimal way.

The interdisciplinary cooperation with other departments of the TU Darmstadt in the Materials Research Network Rhine-Main (MatFoRM) enables component-related materials science in theory and practice that is oriented to the latest findings. This knowledge is always kept, conveyed and applied at state of the art technology.

Results from research and development projects as well as current problems in industry are discussed intensively in colloquia and seminars and also with users. Through collaborative research projects, cooperation in working groups as well as technical-scientific publications and dissertations, there is a direct transfer of knowledge, exchange of information and interaction with our clients.

Our clients are mainly small and medium-sized industrial companies, industrial associations, public institutions, research associations and quality associations, craft business, trading or insurance companies, consumer organizations, private persons as well as investigative authorities, courts and other authorities. In supporting our clients in questions of safety for people and the environment, damage prevention and quality improvement of products, a significant transfer of knowledge takes place.

Participation in national and international working groups and committees (e.g. DIN, CEN, CENELEC, ISO) leads to an exchange of expertise and experience. In addition, participation in regulatory bodies ensures that our expertise just as ideas of consumers and manufacturers are considered with regard to the requirements for quality and reliability of technical products, environmental protection requirements and the economical use of raw materials and energy.

We hope that you will find the right partner for the solution of your tasks in our competence center and look forward to demonstrating our capabilities to you.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Oechsner