IAM - Materials Science and Engineering Startseite
Institute for Applied Materials – Materials Science and Engineering
The
Institute for Applied Materials – Materials Science and Engineering (IAM-WK)
is active in the field of
research
education
, and innovation on structural and functional materials
, particularly for mechanical engineering applications. We aim at revealing relationships between processes, structure and properties. The research activities of our
seven research groups
focus on the fields
"Conditions and Properties" (
"Materials Development" (
and
"Processes" (
. Therefore, we run specialized
laboratories and workshops
which are also used for education of our students in
Mechanical Engineering
and
Materials Science and Engineering
. For both programmes, we conduct
lectures, tutorials and lab courses
as fundamental and advanced courses.
CLAAS/KIT
Carbon-free PoWer for agricultural and construction machinery
Hydrogen combustion engines open up prospects for the climate-neutral operation of agricultural and construction machinery. As part of the BMWE-funded joint project
"PoWer – Potential of Hydrogen Engines for Efficient and Robust Off-Road Applications"
, IAM-WK is working with KIT partner institutes and industrial companies to investigate the influence of hydrogen on the behaviour of typical engine components during operation.
The following article from "KIT Research to Business" provides insights into current research work:
www.kit-technology.de/en/blog/carbon-free-power-for-agricultural-and-construction-machinery
Elsevier
Creep behavior of high-entropy alloys: A critical review
A new review paper authored by
Prof. Martin Heilmaier
together with renowned colleagues from the US and Germany and published in the
Intermetallics
journal provides a
comprehensive review of creep in FCC and BCC high-entropy alloys (HEAs)
, thereby clarifying governing creep mechanisms across single- and multi-phase HEAs, benchmarking HEA creep performance against commercial superalloys, and identifying microstructural factors that control high-temperature deformation. In doing so, the authors outline pathways for designing future creep-resistant HEAs.
The original paper by M. Zhang, U. Glatzel, M. Heilmaier, and E. P. George, "Creep behavior of high-entropy alloys: A critical review", Intermetallics 192 (2026), 109242
can be found here
Photos: Hongfei Zhang (Monash U)
Martin Heilmaier "Monash Distinguished Scholar"
On November 24, 2025,
Prof. Martin Heilmaier
delivered a
Distinguished Scholar
Seminar
titled “Developing Novel Ultrahigh-Temperature Alloys Based on Refractory Metals” at
Monash University
, Clayton VIC, Australia.
In his presentation, he outlined the current development status of body-centered cubic (A2) refractory high-entropy alloys, focusing on key challenges such as oxidation and creep resistance. These issues can be addressed through two approaches: (i) two-phase Mo–Ti–silicide alloys and (ii) A2 + B2 Ta–Mo–Ti–Cr–Al refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs), which mimic the successful γ/γ′ microstructure of Ni-based superalloys.
However, these materials still exhibit high ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures. In contrast, a recent Nature publication (
Vol. 646, 2025, p. 331
) by Prof. Heilmaier and his team demonstrated that ductility and oxidation resistance can be significantly improved using a surprisingly simple Cr–Mo–Si solid solution. This alloy system also meets strength requirements at elevated temperatures up to 1000 °C.
The seminar concluded with a discussion on strategies to further enhance creep and oxidation resistance at temperatures beyond the operational range of Ni-based superalloys.
Schliephake / KIT
"Workout for Materials - Extended Edition"
From October 27 to 31, 2025, we welcomed four dedicated pupils from various German schools to our Institute as part of the
"VDI Werkstoffferien"
program. Unlike the shorter Open Day edition in May, this extended version allowed the pupils to carry out all experiments - from manufacturing to analysis and mechanical testing - throughout the week.
They completed processing steps including induction melting, cutting, metallographic preparation, heat treatment, hardness testing, tensile tests, and fracture toughness measurements at different temperatures. Together, we explored why some Al alloys can be strengthened by precipitates while others cannot.
The photo shows some impressions of these inspiring scientific activities.
PSE / KIT
3rd cohort of doctoral researchers in RTG 2561 will begin in 2026
Up to twelve doctoral researcher positions
in the fields of material synthesis, characterization, and modelling will be offered starting in April 2026 within the
research training group (RTG 2561)
“MatCom-ComMat”
, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since April 2020.
"MatCom-ComMat" is a joint research project of KIT with the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Dechema Research Institute in Frankfurt (in Bad Homburg from January 2026).
Further details on the job description, requirements, and the application process can be found
in the official KIT job offer
Nature
"Nature" paper by IAM-WK researchers
Reducing fossil fuel consumption is one of the primary goals of our
Physical Metallurgy (PhM) research group
at IAM-WK. One way to achieve this is by developing new high-temperature materials for structural applications that can increase combustion temperatures and, consequently, the efficiency of gas turbines.
As part of the
Research Training Group 2561 "MatCom-ComMat"
, Professor Martin Heilmaier's team collaborated with Dr. Mathias C. Galetz
from DECHEMA
and Prof. Haruyuki Inui from Kyoto University to develop a novel, ductile Cr-Mo-Si alloy that is resistant to high-temperature oxidation. To quote Dr. Alexander Kauffmann, co-author and now
Professor at Ruhr University Bochum
: “It is ductile at room temperature, its melting point is as high as about 2,000 degrees Celsius, and – unlike refractory alloys known to date – it oxidizes only slowly, even in the critical temperature range. This nurtures the vision of being able to make components suitable for operating temperatures substantially higher than 1,100 degrees Celsius. Thus, the result of our research has the potential to enable a real technological leap.“
Find the
official press release by KIT here
. We congratulate the PhM team and hope you enjoy reading
the original "Nature" manuscript here
KIT Press Release
Conventus / Markus Breig (KIT)
Microscopy Conference MC2025 in Karlsruhe
The
Microscopy Conference MC2025
took place in Karlsruhe from August 31 to Sept. 4, 2025. This year, the conference was organized by KIT professors
Christian Kübel (INT)
Yolita M. Eggeler (LEM)
Astrid Pundt (IAM-WK)
and
Prof. Rasmus Schröder (Universität Heidelberg)
with the support of Conventus as a tri-national conference of the Austrian (
ASEM
), German (
DGE
) and the Swiss (
SSOM
) associations for electron microscopy.
1010 participants from 38 countries met at the Messe Karlsruhe. With seven plenary/keynote and 41 invited lectures, seven workshops, 357 poster presentations, and 101 short talks, the conference offered a broad spectrum of materials science, instrumentation and methods, and life sciences. 54 industrial exhibitors were able to position their stands in a large area in the middle of the conference venue. A reception hosted by the mayor, the conference dinner at the ZKM with dancing, and a visit to the Schlosslichtspiele light show rounded off the conference.
Further information about the conference can be found here.
KIT
„Next Step – Zeit für Ausbildung“
Am
Do., 17. Juli 2025
, findet erstmals die Veranstaltung „Next Step – Zeit für Ausbildung“ am KIT Campus Süd statt: Schülerinnen und Schüler oder allgemein Interessierte, die sich für eine Berufsausbildung oder ein duales Studium interessieren oder informieren möchten, können an diesem Tag die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten am KIT kennenlernen, entdecken und sich orientieren.
Unter dem Titel "
Zwei Materialien – eine Münze
" zeigt die
mechanische Werkstatt des IAM-WK
unter Leitung von
Herrn Schäfer
an den Ausbildungsberufen Industriemechaniker/-in bzw. Zerspanungsmechaniker/-in Interessierten, wie man etwa auf einer CNC-gesteuerten Fräsmaschine Gravierarbeiten in Metall realisieren kann. Das Ergebnis ist eine Münze als Schlüsselanhänger zum Mitnehmen – verpackt in einem Etui, hergestellt in einem 3D-Drucker.
Interessierte sind herzlich eingeladen, zwischen 16 und 20 Uhr vorbeizukommen –
einen Veranstaltungs- und Lageplan finden Sie hier
KIT / Markus Breig
KIT Faculty Teaching Award 2025 goes to Dr. Liebig
On the occasion of this year's KIT Open Day,
Dr. Wilfried Liebig
was awarded the KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering's Faculty Teaching Award 2025 for his excellent teaching. He was honoured for his exceptionally wide-ranging and practical teaching programme and the innovative and individual design of his courses. His high level of commitment and encouragement of discussion and active exchange, especially on topics related to sustainability, were particularly appreciated.
The photo shows Dr. Liebig receiving the award from KIT Vice President Prof. Alexander Wanner (left).
A video highlighting the 2025 Faculty Teaching Award can be found here.
Congratulations!
LinkedIn news item
KIT / Markus Breig
KIT-Fakultätslehrpreis für Dr. Liebig
Im Rahmen des Tages der offenen Tür am KIT wurde
Dr.-Ing. Wilfried Liebig
mit dem
Lehrpreis der Fakultät Maschinenbau
für seine exzellente Lehre ausgezeichnet. Gewürdigt wurde er dabei für sein außergewöhnlich breit gefächertes und praxisnahes Lehrangebot sowie die innovative und individuelle Gestaltung der Lehrveranstaltungen. Besonders geschätzt würden dabei sein hohes Engagement und die Förderung von Diskussion und aktivem Austausch, besonders bei Themen der Nachhaltigkeit.
Das Foto zeigt Herrn Dr. Liebig bei der Preisverleihung durch KIT-Vizepräsident Prof. Dr. Alexander Wanner (li.).
Das Video zur Vorstellung des Fakultätslehrpreises 2025 finden Sie hier.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Meldung auf LinkedIn
iam-wk
Farewell to Thomas Börsig
At the end of May 2025, the head of IAM-WK's administration, Mr.
Thomas Börsig
, retired. The institute, represented by the spokesperson of its directorate board, Prof. Astrid Pundt (on the right), and Prof. Martin Heilmaier (left), thanked Mr. Börsig during the farewell ceremony for more than a decade of outstanding and responsible work in the administration of our institute – wishing him all the best for the next chapter of his life after almost forty years of service to (today's) KIT.
A. Kauffmann
Dr.-Ing. Alex Kauffmann appointed professor
Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kauffmann
was appointed
W3 Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
at the
Institute for Materials, Ruhr University Bochum
in May 2025. After completing his doctorate summa cum laude at TU Dresden in 2014, Dr. Kauffmann joined the IAM-WK, where he has been head of the Physical Metallurgy since 2018, demonstrating not only his great commitment but also his in-depth expertise. He quickly established a successful research group by acquiring a number of publicly funded projects. Last year, the German Society for Materials Science (DGM) awarded him the
prestigious Masing Memorial Prize
We would like to thank Dr. Kauffmann for his many years of valuable service to the institute and wish him all the best in his new position!
iam-wk
Workout for Materials – Strengthening of Metals and Alloys
On the occasion of KIT's Open Day event on May 17, 2025, we presented our
"Workout for Materials"
to the public. In our hands-on workshop, we increased the mechanical strength of steels and aluminium alloys, the materials were mechanically tested in our testing labs following heat treatments under the guidance of our materials scientists. Under our guidance, interested visitors examined the microstructural changes of the materials using the microscopes in our metallography lab and learned how metals and alloys gain or lose strength.
After all, as with people, the right training methods lead to success for materials.
Microstructure Analysis
Fractography
Mechanical testing
Microstructure analysis
Computer tomography
Surface analysis
Materials characterization
Mechanical testing
Microstructure analysis
Materials synthesis
Microstructure analysis
Microstructure analysis
Mechanical workshop
Mechanical testing
Microstructure analysis
Metallography
Scanning electron microscopy
Materials characterization
Contact
E-Mail
You can contact us via mail to
iam-wk-administration∂iam.kit.edu
Campus South
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Institut für Angewandte Materialien – Werkstoffkunde (IAM–WK)
Campus Süd
Gebäude
10.91
und
10.96
Engelbert-Arnold-Straße 4
76131 Karlsruhe
Campus North
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Institut für Angewandte Materialien – Werkstoffkunde (IAM–WK)
Campus Nord
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1
Gebäude
695
76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
kauffmann
Building 10.91
kauffmann
Building 10.96
kauffmann
Building 695
Organization
Professors
Prof. M. Heilmaier
Prof. A. Pundt (spokesperson)
Prof. V. Schulze
Prof. P. Elsner †
Research Groups and Laboratories
Conditions and Properties
Fatigue
Dr. Guth
Fatigue testing laboratories
Structure and Stress Analysis
Dr. Gibmeier
X-ray laboratory
Materials Development
Defects in Materials
Dr. Wagner
Sputter und STM laboratory
Physical Metallurgy
Dr. Kauffmann
Materials synthesis
Hybrid and Lightweight Materials
Dr. Liebig
Mechnical testings laboratory
Processes
Materials and Processes
Prof. Hanemann
Injection molding laboratory
Electro-chemical laboratory
Production and Component Behaviour
Dr. Dietrich
Production laboratories
Shared Facilities
Mechanical Workshop
Schäfer
IT infrastructure
Chalaguine
Metallography
Dr. Schliephake
Public Relations
Please contact
Dr. Alexander Kauffmann
or
Nina Meng