Polymer-matrix composites (fiber-reinforced plastics, FRPs) have come to be indispensable as construction materials for lightweight structures. The aviation sector has played a pioneering role in the development and application of these materials from the start; other fields of application for fibrous composite materials include the automotive, wind energy, construction, and the sports equipment sectors. 

The Composite Materials group focuses on the deformation and failure behavior of polymer-matrix composites under quasi static and impact loads as well as upon fatigue. Up-to-date equipment in the testing laboratory enables us to systematically and comprehensively characterize materials under complex load conditions (e.g. temperature, media) - from the test specimen to the component. We primarily apply non-contacting optical measurement methods for the analysis of local and global deformation under loading conditions. Besides general topics, like the deduction of processing-structure-property relationships and the further development of testing and characterization methods, current focus areas include the structural integrity and durability of adhesively bonded repairs of fiber composite structures in aviation applications. Additional research areas focus on new continuous natural fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight applications, CFRP sandwich structures based on closed-cell polymer hard foam cores, as well as on laser-based additive manufacturing of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite components.

• Structural integrity and durability of adhesively bonded repairs of fiber composite structures in aviation applications
• New continuous natural fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight applications
• CFRP sandwich structures based on closed-cell polymer hard foam cores 
• Laser-based additive manufacturing of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite components – process/structure/properties