HoWZu – High performance materials of the future

Based on the results of numerous prior and ongoing research projects, the IFUM has identified the potential for a wide and innovative scientific field in the development of forming process chains for novel high-performance materials. The aim is to process new materials under isothermal high temperature conditions. The global aim of the project is to upgrade an existing forging press with a module to carry out forming processes under an isothermal and inert environment. This infrastructure upgrade enables the IFUM research team to broaden the scientific field in developing and experimenting on production processes for a wide variety of materials, conditions and applications from an industrial standpoint.

In addition to conventional high-performance materials such as Titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys and high-performance steels, the upgrade is designed to enable scientific work on novel material concepts such as metal-matrix composites, intermetallic alloys or high-entropy alloys. The launch of the infrastructure upgrade is planned for the end of 2025 and will conclude the project and be the starting point for research work in this innovative field.

We thank the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and State of Lower Saxony for funding this infrastructure investment.