Functional material
In contrast to structural and construction materials , functional materials are not primarily characterized by their mechanical resilience, but rather by electrical, magnetic, acoustic, optical, biological-chemical or very special mechanical properties that can be specifically influenced to create the macroscopic properties of a To change the component. If this influence is also possible on the material or workpiece that has already been produced , it is also referred to as intelligent materials .
In the case of functional materials, the purpose (e.g. corrosion protection or thermal insulation ) is in the foreground, not the structural design of components.
A particular sub-group are the functionally graded or stepped materials (also graded ; engl. Functionally graded material ) in which the material property varies across the thickness or the volume of the workpiece.
Examples
Functional materials cannot be assigned to a uniform group of substances and can have a wide variety of physico-chemical properties.
Examples of functional materials:
- Copper is used as a conductor material. Its electrical and thermal conductivity are very good.
- Polymers are used as insulating materials, for example to insulate electrical cables and wires.
- Ceramics serve as a dielectric in capacitors .
- Iron , cobalt and nickel are ferromagnetic. This is the basis for magnetic materials such as those used in transformers and electric motors.
Teaching and Research
The functional materials course is offered at several universities in Germany. There are various specialist magazines that deal with the subject of functional materials , e.g. B. the Advanced Functional Materials .
Functional materials technology course
In the winter semester 2006 / '07, the third and last component of an overall concept of the University of Würzburg for the introduction of engineering courses - the technology of functional materials. This was renamed Functional Materials in winter 2012/13. To this end, the bachelor's and master's degree programs have been renewed.
The concept of the course resulted from a general need for such materials in many branches of industry, from the automotive industry to mechanical engineering, measurement and control technology, medical and biotechnology, to consumer electronics. The close cooperation with the economy in the Lower Franconia region has also confirmed this need.
See also
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- ^ Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) and Their Production Methods . Azom.com. August 22, 2002. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ↑ see also Functionally Graded Material in the English Wikipedia
- ↑ Saarland University, Chair for Functional Materials ( Memento of the original from March 19, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ University of Würzburg Functional Materials ( Memento of the original from October 29, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Center for Functional Materials in Clausthal ( Memento of the original from January 20, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Kunststoffzentrum Würzburg ( Memento of the original from October 29, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Cooperants in Würzburg ( Memento of the original from October 29, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Cooperators outside of Würzburg ( Memento of the original from October 29, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research
