The Institute of Materials Science evolved from the mergers and spin-offs of various predecessor institutes.
In 1920, a Strength of Materials Laboratory was spun off from the previously existing Mechanical Laboratory at the Carolo-Wilhelmina Technical University in Braunschweig. This was located at Spielmannstraße 10. Otto Föppl, appointed as an associate professor of Technical Mechanics and Materials Science in the winter semester of 1920, became director of the Strength Laboratory. This later evolved into the Wöhler Institute for Strength and Vibration Testing.
After World War II, the Institute for Materials Science, Manufacturing Processes, and Welding Technology was rebuilt relatively quickly. The institute’s director, Prof. Hofmann, was also director of the Wöhler Institute for Strength and Vibration Testing. Both institutes were located on Mühlenpfordtstraße at that time.
Around 1963, a separate Institute for Welding Technology and Materials Technology was established. The remaining part was named the Institute for Materials Science and Manufacturing Processes. In the fall of 1972, the institute moved into its new premises on Langer Kamp.
Under Professor Haeßner, the institute adopted its current name, the Institute for Materials.
Institute Directors
1948–1965 Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Wilhelm Hofmann
1967–1971 Prof. Hein-Peter Stüwe
1973–1996 Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Frank Haeßner
since 1996 Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Rösler
Research Focus
After World War II, research focused on steels and lead alloys, among other things, as well as on topics that were innovative at the time, such as cold-press welding, gases in metals (especially hydrogen), and X-ray structural analysis. Later, the focus shifted to aluminum and copper alloys, as well as amorphous alloys and nanocrystalline materials. Anelastic behavior and mechanical spectroscopy also constituted a major research focus. Technical damage cases were analyzed and components tested at an official materials testing laboratory affiliated with the institute.
Today, in addition to general materials science issues, the institute focuses on alloys for high-temperature applications, (nano-)porous materials, thermal insulation layers, and materials for additive manufacturing.
Person responsible for this site's contents: Dr. T. Fiedler