Thematic Focus

The thematic focus of the research unit Chemical Technologies covers the preparation and characterization of specialty materials from micro- and nanostructured metals and ceramics, including sintered steel for precision parts, refractory metals, hardmetals for metal-working and stone machining, high performance ceramics, as well as metal matrix composites (MMCs). The division is especially proud on its expertise in hardmetals/cemented carbides and powdermetallurgy, which has been established since the early 1960s .
Other topics include the preparation of tool coatings made of diamond and other hard materials.
The recovery of valuable metallic compounds by hydro- and pyrometallurgical means as well as materials investigations in case of damage or corrosion are other important aspects in research and teaching.

Main Research Topics

• Powder metallurgy of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as composite materials
• Hardmetals/cemented carbides and cermets
• Processing and development of dense and porous advanced ceramics
• Diamond deposition
• Powder technology, powder synthesis, processing, machinability
• High-performance composites (particle- and fibre-reinforced MMCs)
• Alloy developments (high-entropy alloys, superalloys, brazing alloys)
• CALPHAD
• Recycling and recovery of valuable materials
• Corrosion
• Development of mechanical test methods, failure mechanisms of materials, finite element simulations

Research Groups

• E164-03-1 - Inorganic Materials (head: Christian Edtmaier)
• E164-03-2 - Mechanical Response of Materials (head: Golta Khatibi)
• E164-03-3 - Powder Metallurgy (head: Christian Gierl-Mayer)