Laboratory equipment at the Institute for Materials Research

Sample preparation and processing

Light-microscopic microstructural analysis

Photo: Jan Walford

Magnetic fields up to 2 tesla
In-situ analysis under magnetic fields, temperature, and mechanical stress
Heating and climate chamber up to 600 °C in high vacuum
Mechanical stress up to 100 MPa at temperatures up to 200°C
Kerr effects: polar, longitudinal, transverse
High-resolution camera and polarization optics
Machine learning-based domain analysis
Piezo-stabilized sample holders with drift correction
The multifunctional wide-field Kerr microscope was acquired as part of the DFG Large-Scale Equipment Initiative “Novel, Experimental Light Microscopy for Research.”

Fully motorized
Reflected and transmitted light
Brightfield, darkfield, DIC, POL
High-resolution AxioCam HRc digital camera

Fully motorized
Reflected and transmitted light
Brightfield, darkfield, DIC, POL
High-resolution digital camera
AxioCam HRc

Fully motorized
Reflected and transmitted light
Magnification 3.5–110x
High-resolution Axiocam 512 Color digital camera

Automated digital microscope for routine tasks and defect analysis
Magnification 10x to 10¹¹x relative to a 17-inch monitor
Optical axis on a swivel arm with continuously adjustable angle between -45° and +45°
LED coaxial and ring illumination with segmentation

Fully motorized
Scanning stage; 300 x 300 mm travel range
Specimen height up to 112 mm (254 mm without stage)
Incident light
Brightfield, darkfield, POL
Magnification 25x to 2500x
High-resolution AxioCam 506 color digital camera

Incident-light microscope
Coded reflector unit with brightfield, darkfield, and polarization modules
Coded objective turret with EC Epiplan 5x, 10x, 20x, and 50x objectives
Axiocam 208 color
Manual single-frame and mosaic imaging
X/Y cross stage and manual Z-axis
ZEN core 2.5 application software

Stereomicroscope
Zoom magnification 0.63–5x / 10x eyepiece
LED ring illumination
Axiocam208 color
ZEN core 2.5 application software

Electron microscopy

Photo: Jan Walford

Gemini-2 FE technology
Combined secondary electron and ion detector
ESB detector for material contrast at acceleration voltages <2 kV
4-quadrant backscattered electron detector
STEM detector for transmission electron imaging
Capella Focused Ion Beam (FIB) column for nanometer-scale sample processing
UV short-pulse laser for rough machining
Kleindiek micromanipulator
ATLAS 3D for high-resolution FIB tomography
EDAX, EDX, and 3D-EBSD analysis
Chemical analyses
Crystallographic analyses (determination of species and orientation), including in-situ (3D)

Gemini FE technology
Secondary electron detector
4-quadrant AsB backscattered electron detector
VP secondary electron detector with the capability for simple CL imaging
Variable-Pressure System for charge-free imaging of non-conductive samples
ATLAS system for large-area, high-resolution images
EDAX, EBSD, and WDX analysis
Chemical analysis using EDX
Precise determination of even light elements using WDX
High-speed EBSD camera with up to 1,400 FPS for crystallographic analysis (type and orientation)
Correlative microscopy combining light and scanning electron microscopy

FE scanning electron microscope
Secondary and backscattered electron detectors
EDAX analysis system with EDX
Sample holder systems for correlative microscopy

Real-time high-temperature diffractometry

3D computed tomography

Powder and Sintering Technology

Production of spherical powders via ultrasonic atomization, e.g., for additive manufacturing
Induction melting up to 1300 °C or plasma melting up to over 3000 °C
Particle size distribution depends on the ultrasonic frequency.
Available frequencies: 20 kHz (particle size d50 = 70 µm), 40 kHz (particle size d50 = 50 µm), 60 kHz (particle size d50 = 35 µm)
High flexibility regarding the form and quantity of the feed material. From a few grams to kilograms, pure elements, master alloys, and recycled materials.

Four grinding stations
Grinding bowl sizes: 80, 250, 500 ml
Grinding ball diameter: 0.5 – 40 mm
Final particle size < 1 µm
Main disc speed: 50–400 rpm
Dry/wet grinding process possible
Grinding under inert gas possible
Programmable grinding and pause times, as well as grinding cycles in reverse operation, are possible

Includes B-296 dehumidifier and B-295 inert loop
Capable of handling organic solvents
Evaporator capacity: 1.0 L/hr H₂O, higher for organic solvents
Air flow rate: max. 35 m³/h
Max. inlet temperature: 220 °C
Heating power: 2300 W
Control accuracy: ± 3 °C
Spray gas (compressed air or nitrogen): 200–1,000 l/hr, 5–8 bar
Nozzle diameter: 0.7 mm standard; 1.4 and 2.0 mm available as accessories
Nozzle cap: 1.4 mm and 1.5 mm diameter
Average residence time: 1.0–1.5 s
Possible particle diameter range: 1–25 μm
RS-232 interface for outputting all parameters

Sample chamber volume 5 L (Ø 190 x H 300 mm²)
Temperatures up to 2000°C possible, 2 separate heaters (30 kW each)
Temperature control via WRe-TC or quotient pyrometer
Lid cooling for gradient control/directed solidification of MMC components
Hydraulic immersion system
Vacuum chamber, Æ 0.5 x 1 m²
Vacuum: approx. 5×10⁻⁴ bar / 100 bar argon
Operating pressure: 1 to +100 bar

Chamber dimensions:
180 x 210 x 140 mm³
Tmax: 1050°C
Special features: TNV, inert gas atmosphere, vacuum

Kilns & Furnaces CU4

Chamber dimensions: 200 x 228 x 250 mm³
Max. temperature: 1300°C

Chamber dimensions: 160 x 300 x 80 mm³
Tmax: 1350°C

Nabertherm N41

Chamber dimensions: 350 x 500 x 250 mm³
Tmax: 1150°

Chamber dimensions: 170 x 250 x 90 mm³
Tmax: 1000°C

Gero HT-RH 70-300/16

High-temperature tube furnace
Tmax: 1600°C
Inert gas atmosphere

Tribology

Battery Technology

New battery research laboratories in the “Center for Technology for Sustainability (ZTN)” research building at Aalen University of Applied Sciences.

Operation under an argon atmosphere at negative or positive pressure
Oxygen/water content < 1 ppm
Multi-chamber gloveboxes for various applications:
Glovebox for cell assembly (coin, Swagelok, pouch, PAT)
Glovebox for powder-based solid-state batteries with a flanged high-temperature furnace (argon atmosphere, Tmax = 1600°C) and H2S sensors for processing sulfide materials
Glovebox for metallographic preparation under an inert gas atmosphere
Glovebox for microscopic analysis under an inert gas atmosphere
Glovebox for opening high-capacity cells
Additional gloveboxes for inert gas analysis (RAMAN and LIBS) currently being procured

Dual-chamber glove box with a high-temperature furnace for the synthesis of solid-state batteries.

Various mixers for the production of electrode pastes (laboratory stirrers, planetary centrifugal mixers)
Squeegee coater with a heated vacuum plate for electrode coating
Several laboratory calenders for electrode compaction (some heatable up to 200 °C)
Punching and cutting tools for punching out electrodes
Crimpers for the (dis)assembly of button cells (format: CR2032)
Vacuum sealer for assembling pouch cells

Materials processing technology for the production of electrodes.

> 100 independent test channels (with channel-specific thermocouples) with
62 channels: max. 3 A / +/-6 V (CTS Lab, BaSyTec)
40 channels: max. 5 A / 0–6 V (CTS Standard, BaSyTec)
6 channels: max. 50 A / 0–4.5 V (XCTS, BaSyTec)
8 measurement channels for connecting force transducers for chemomechanical cell tests
9 measurement channels for specific electrochemical analyses (e.g., EIS, GITT)
5 channels: max. 400 mA / ±10 V / 10 µHz – 1 MHz (VSP, BioLogic)
3 channels: max. 500 mA / ±12 V / 10 µHz – 7 MHz (VSP-300, BioLogic)
1 channel: max. 100 mA / ±21 V / 10 µHz – 250 kHz (Vertex.One.EIS, Ivium)
Multiple climate chambers for temperature control (-10°C < T < 100°C)
Multiple safety climate chambers (Hazard Level 5) (-40°C < T < 180°C)
Specialized test cells and clamping frames for variable superposition of mechanical and electrochemical loads

CTS safety climate chamber for testing high-capacity cells (Photo: Jan Walford).

Various ball mills for mixing, grinding, and homogenizing the powders
Cold isostatic and uniaxial presses, specialized test cells for compaction and pressure clamping
High-temperature furnace combined with a glove box (Ar atmosphere, Tmax = 1600°C) for the synthesis and sintering of air-sensitive materials such as sulfide solid electrolytes
Several furnaces for heat treatment (Tmax = 1300°C, some under inert gas)

Materials processing technology for the production of solid-state batteries.

Optical microscopy analyses integrated into the glovebox (stereomicroscope, inverted reflected-light microscope; up to 1000x magnification, corresponding to a 100x objective)
Sputtering system (Au, Au/Pd, C) integrated into a glovebox
Transfer modules for sample transfer to (i) a scanning electron microscope with FIB unit, EDX/WDX, and EBSD XRD, as well as (ii) XRD, including a climate chamber with a heating function up to 1050°C and an operando measurement cell
Confocal Raman microscope and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system currently being procured

Analytical glovebox with an optical microscope for inert gas analysis (Photo: Jan Walford).

Magnetometry

QD-PPMS-9 multifunctional magnetometer
Measurements in the temperature range 1.9 K to 1000 K and field range -9 T to 9 T
Measurements of the full hysteresis curve, kink point measurements, reversibility measurements, relaxation measurements Determination of the magnetic parameters µ0HC, JR, (BH)maxDC/AC measurements
Torque function
Microscope function: AFM/MFM (Atomic Force/Magnetic Force unit) for visualizing the stray fields of domain structures, SHP (Scanning Hall Probe unit) for quantitative determination of local stray fields, in each case as a function of field and temperature
Max. thermal compensation: 1000 W

Computer-controlled Permagraph C-300
Measurements in the temperature range from room temperature to 200°C
Measurements of the hysteresis curve in the second quadrant down to -2 tesla
Determination of the magnetic parameters µ0, HC, JR, (BH)max
FeCo pole pieces
Magnetometry: Length/width min. 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm, max. 2 cm × 1.5 cm, height > 1 mm

Pulse Magnetizer
Magnetizing coil 52.0 mm (clearance) x 60 mm (active length)
Magnetization with aperiodically damped discharge
Variable field pulse up to a maximum of 7.2 tesla for complete saturation of the magnets

MS 150-type moment coil for measuring the magnetic moment and dipole moment of permanent magnets
Clear opening 140 mm
Dimensions for 1% accuracy: max. magnet height 50 mm, max. diameter 70 mm

Determination of soft magnetic parameters in AC and DC according to IEC 60404-ff, repeatability 0.1%
AC field measurements between 1 Hz and 100 kHz
Sine waves, arbitrary waveforms, bias measurements, new waveform
Sample geometries: Epstein strips, plate and ring samples
Maximum current 40 A, maximum voltage 100 V
Measurements possible at elevated temperatures (< 300°C)

20 Hz to 20 MHz
16047E Test fixture for components with axial leads
Measurement parameters: |Z|, |Y|, θ, R, X, G, B, L, C, D, Q, Z (complex)
Basic accuracy of impedance measurement: ± 0.08%
Number of measurement points: 2 to 1,601
Measurements under bias

Soft-magnet measuring instruments—Keysight E4990A Impedance Analyzer

3D measurement of magnetic fields from hard magnets
Measurement range: 1.5 T
Magnetic field measurement accuracy: 0.1%
Measurement possible in 4 axes (X, Y, Z, and rotation)
Resolution: 2 µm (X, Y, Z), 0.02° (rotation)
Measurement volume: 135 x 135 x 135 mm

Process Technology for Additive Manufacturing

Lightweight Construction/Joining Technology