Progress in materials analysis for a sustainable future

High-performance materials such as alloys, ceramics and synthetic polymers play important roles in key areas such as energy, mobility and infrastructure. Andreas Limbeck and his team at the CD Laboratory for Multiscale chemical analysis of materials in industrial processing and use at TU Wien are therefore conducting research, supported by commercial partners Infineon Technologies Austria AG and voestalpine Stahl GmbH, into new and improved methods for the precise characterisation of these materials. For example, stress tests and weathering methods are used to study the effects of ageing processes as well as environmental and weath-related influences on these materials. On this knowledge base, it should be possible in the future to optimise material properties such as longevity in a targeted manner, which will greatly benefit sustainability and efficiency.