Objectives: At a Glance

New and Challenging Material Class

• Discontinuous long fiber reinforced polymer structures with local continous fiber reinforcements
  
  
  
   
• Significant potential for energy savings due to the high specific stiffness and strength
• Variety of design optioins in diverse technical applications, e.g., in vehicle construction
  
  

Micro-CT scan of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) composite



Micro-CT scan of Long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT)
                                                   

Interdisciplinar Research

• Demands for interdisciplinary understanding of the corresponding process and material techniques
  along with the necessary simulation and product development methods
• Reseach Areas
  
  
  
  

Challenges

• Control of the virtual process process/component optimization
• Handling, quality assurance control of the real process
• Closely interlocked characterization and simulation strategy
• New process technology for optimal design