Competencies

Our scientific and technological Competencies

Fraunhofer IFAM is the research institute in Europe that understands and applies materials science and manufacturing technology like no other. Our scientists conduct research and development in two areas:

  • "Shaping and Functional Materials"
  • "Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces"

In these two research areas, cross-system core competencies and a range of services have developed at our institute over the years, extending from materials to shaping and joining technology to the functionalization of surfaces, development of complete components or complex systems, and digital processes. Fraunhofer IFAM covers the entire value chain from material development and product design to integration into industrial production - including pilot production and targeted measures for personnel qualification in new technologies.

The broad technological and scientific know-how is bundled in seven core competencies:

  • Metallic Materials
  • Polymer Materials
  • Surface Technology
  • Adhesive Bonding
  • Shaping and Component Manufacturing
  • Automation and Robotics
  • Energy Storage and Converter

These core competencies underpin the institute's strong position in the research market and form the basis for future-oriented developments. Process-oriented advanced training or education as well as specific technology transfer are offered for all core competencies.

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Our Competencies at a Glance

 

Metallic Materials

 

The development of metallic materials with tailored properties and their shaping has been a research focus at Fraunhofer IFAM since its foundation.

 

Polymeric Materials

Polymeric materials are another area of materials expertise: from development and processing to approaches for repair and recycling of plastics and FRP.

 

Surface Technology

The range of applications for many materials is often only made possible by specific modifications to their surfaces. With our technical know-how, we exploit the full material potential.

 

Adhesive Bonding

Fraunhofer IFAM is the leading international research institute in the field of "adhesive bonding". Our highly qualified, multidisciplinary teams have been researching adhesive bonding technology for over 50 years.

 

Shaping and Component Manufacturing

We research innovative manufacturing processes that enable functional integration at every step.

 

Automation and Robotics

We also develop manufacturing processes for automated and digitized production environments.

 

Energy Storage and Converter

Last but not least, we are pooling our materials science, manufacturing technology and systems expertise for the mobility and energy transition!