TK Stainless
TK Stainless
TK Stainless
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high-performance materials<br />
The eXperTs from thyssenkrupp VDM<br />
need a great deal of experience to assess welding<br />
properties.<br />
---<br />
the information already available on the market, we have an initial<br />
idea for a new alloy composition,” Dr. Hattendorf continues.<br />
And then the computer comes into play. “We simulate<br />
the manufacture of a new material to be ideally prepared for real<br />
production,” explains Dr. Jutta Klöwer.<br />
The success of the computer simulations shows that this<br />
is the right approach. Thanks to the computer, there are no more<br />
“total flops” during laboratory-scale melting. “But we still get the<br />
odd surprise,” continues Dr. Klöwer. “Basically we are trying to add<br />
to existing knowledge rather than reinvent the wheel. But we work<br />
with 40 different alloying elements, so it’s impossible to predict<br />
absolutely everything in advance. Sometimes a test series delivers<br />
completely unexpected results. On occasions we’ve discovered<br />
previously unknown material properties in this way.”<br />
On average it takes six months of theory before the first<br />
series of laboratory melts can be carried out and the new materials<br />
tested in the corrosion labs. Once the right alloy composition has<br />
been confirmed, things get really exciting.<br />
“To optimize our knowledge pool, we also cooperate<br />
closely with the Fraunhofer and Max-Planck Institutes, the<br />
universities of Aachen, Braunschweig and Freiberg as well as<br />
other German universities with activities in materials technology,”<br />
says Dr. Jutta Klöwer. One positive side-effect of this cooperation<br />
is that the company establishes contact with young talents who<br />
can be tied to ThyssenKrupp VDM at an early stage as interns or<br />
undergraduate employees.<br />
MaGaZine<br />
ThyssenKrupp VDM is currently working on around<br />
30 research projects, in which it also profits from the knowledge<br />
available at other ThyssenKrupp companies. “We make increasing<br />
use of synergies. Just now we are working with Uhde on a crosssegment<br />
project for a material to be used in coal gasification,<br />
and in our colleagues from ThyssenKrupp Nirosta we have found<br />
partners in the area of research into flue gas desulfurization,”<br />
explains Dr. Klöwer.<br />
Customers appreciate ThyssenKrupp VDM’s creativity.<br />
“In Europe in particular we have a very strong position,” says<br />
Dr. Bernd de Boer from the applications technology department<br />
at ThyssenKrupp VDM. “Another of our strengths is that we are<br />
always very close to our customers and establish direct contacts<br />
very quickly. One service that is very well received is the sending<br />
of specimens. We can have a selection of ThyssenKrupp VDM<br />
material specimens sent to customers for initial test purposes<br />
within two days. The customers then get back to us with their<br />
additional requirements.”<br />
“We are scientists with an eye for the practical and are<br />
proud of every development that comes onto the market,” adds Dr.<br />
Heike Hattendorf.<br />
The next major practical challenge? Together with the<br />
Max-Planck Institute in Düsseldorf, the research department<br />
at ThyssenKrupp VDM is already working on an alternative to<br />
Nicrofer 5923 hMo. ---<br />
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