Ralf Herborn

Fraunhofer ISC, Center for High Temperature Materials and Design HTL designs energy-efficient thermal processes and thus contributes to sustainable technological progress in society. It develops high-temperature materials, high-temperature components and high-temperature measurement methods. The HTL works with systematic methods at a high scientific/technical level. The primary goal is to implement its developments in industry. It offers consulting, component and process development, sampling, measurements, and special equipment. To this end, the HTL is organized into two business units: "Materials and Components" and "Processes and Devices". The HTL currently has around 90 employees at its three locations in Bayreuth, Würzburg and Münchberg. For our customers, we offer over 4,700 m² of laboratory and technical space with state-of-the-art equipment. Within the business unit “Materials and Components” systematic experimental and computer-based methods (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering, ICME) are used for the development of materials and components. The expertise ranges from component design, material selection and material design to process design and prototype production. The material expertise is focused on ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs). As the only R&D facility in Europe, the HTL covers the complete technology chain for CMCs from fiber production to textile fiber processing and CMC manufacturing. It can use highly automated pilot-scale equipment for this purpose and offer customized solutions. Ceramic components can be manufactured using various 3D printing processes, and the HTL is also developing new 3D printing processes. In addition to high-temperature components, the business unit “Processes and Devices” develops new furnace systems based on digital twins and designs or optimizes thermal treatment processes. A special feature is that the input data for the computer simulation are obtained with specially developed thermo-optical measurement methods and sensors, which significantly increases their reliability. In addition, the simulation results are validated with conventional analytics, non-destructive and mechanical testing methods as well as specially designed high-temperature measuring systems. The HTL develops and manufactures customized equipment for product control and feedstock processing.