On the 22nd of November 2011, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) approved the funding of Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 639 (“Textile-reinforced composite components for function-integrating multi-material design in complex lightweight applications”) for a third – and therefore final – funding period. The SFB was established in 2004, and granted an extension for the four years from 2008 to the end of 2011. The latest extension also covers the extension of the integrated research training group which supports young doctoral candidates during their research into themes linked to the SFB.

The renewed extension ensures that SFB 639 will have received funding for the maximum period of 12 years by the time it reaches its conclusion in 2015. For the final funding period, the DFG allocates around 11 million Euros in funds to the SFB. “This enables the SFB team to continue to play a leading role in the ‘Champions League’ of German research” explains Professor Werner Hufenbach, coordinator for SFB 639.

SFB 639: Textile-reinforced components for complex lightweight applications

SFB 639 sees scientists from the mechanical, electrical and computer engineering faculties at the TU Dresden work jointly with researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology and the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research. Professor Werner Hufenbach, Director of the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology at the TU Dresden, is coordinator for the SFB.

Spread across five project areas, the scientists of SFB 639 scientists focus on the development of novel textile composites. Textile-reinforced composites represent a nascent material group offering considerable potential across a range of applications. In the field of lightweight engineering in particular, the use of hybrid yarn textile thermoplastic (HYTT) composites offers a variety of advantages in comparison with conventional metallic structures. The fact that HYTT composites are characterized by a high degree of stiffness and strength coupled with low weight and good recyclability makes them a highly interesting proposition for future-oriented lightweight applications across a broad range of industries. To give an example, they play a key role in reducing the weight of modern vehicles and can therefore make a significant contribution to the advancement of electric mobility.

From filament to component

Research work carried out by SFB 639 is characterized by an integrated approach. Scientists investigate the entire development and manufacturing process – from polymer/glass fibres and the hybrid yarn of preform materials all the way to finished lightweight components. Amongst other benefits, this facilitates the identification and closure of gaps in the technology chain, which in turn ensures that the value chain remains continuous. This is vital, as gaps otherwise tend to only present themselves once the material, simulation, design, assembly and quality assurance phases have begun to interact with one another.

Distinctions awarded to SFB 639

Amongst other honours, the significance of SFB 639 is reflected in the nomination of its three founding members - Professor Werner Hufenbach (Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology), Professor Peter Offermann (formerly Institute of Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology) and Professor Volker Ulbricht (Institute of Solid Mechanics) – for the “Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2011 – The Federal President’s Prize for technology and innovation” by the DFG. The nomination acknowledges their work in the field of textile-reinforced lightweight engineering.

The SFB has also enjoyed considerable success in the field of technology transfer, with a lightweight thermoplastic seat module manufactured using HYTT composites able to achieve a substantial weight reduction of around 50 per cent when compared with a conventional steel module. The project in question saw the “2009 AVK Innovation Award for Plastics in the Automotive Sector” awarded to the ILK and its transfer partner, Volkswagen AG.

Final phase to end in 2015

Whereas the basic phase (2004 – 2007) focused on the development of new methods on the basis of selected fundamental components, the subsequent linking phase (2008 – 2011) saw focus shift to more complex components. The twin aims of the concluding demonstrator phase (2012 – 2015) are to develop innovative generic demonstrators with a high level of functional integration and ensure that advancements made can be applied across a variety of sectors.

Contact:
Technische Universität Dresden
Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik
Dr.-Ing. Niels Modler
Geschäftsführer SFB 639
Holbeinstr. 3
01307 Dresden
Tel.: +49 (0) 351 463-38156
[Removed image: /aktuelles/newsarchiv/icon_email.gif Alternative text: Image caption: ]n.modler@ilk.mw.tu-dresden.de