The INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, situated in Saarbrücken (Germany), engages in fundamental and applied materials research – from molecules to pilot production. Its main research fields are “Chemical Nanotechnology“, “Interface Materials” and “Materials in Biology.” INM develops nanostructured materials from a chemical, physical and biological perspective, investigate material properties and promote their potential applications in industrial collaborations. They develop for companies worldwide and cooperate with national and international institutions. The institute employs some 180 collaborators and has an annual budget of about $25 million (17 million Euros). (Status: 2008).
A smaller area of developments of the INM are wear-resistant low friction coatings based on organic-inorganic nanocomposites. The use of solid-state-lubricant enables a low-coefficient of friction (µ = 0,08 – 0,13). They have developed a nanocomposite solid state lubricant that shows little wear after 1 million cycles. The wear resistance is achieved by the use of nanocomposite binder matrix. The materials can be applied by spray-application on metals or plastics and can be densified by moderate temperatures. The properties of the coatings can be tailored to the surface pressure and the sliding counterpart as well. The technology is available for licensing.
The following comparison shows the wear resistance of a nanomer low-friction coating, in comparison to a conventional organically bound low friction coating after 1 million loading cycles on a piston.
Fig 2.: conventional low-friction coating (1million cycles)
Fig 1.: Nanomer low-friction coating (1million cycles)
As an additional option, the nanomer low-friction coatings provide also Chromium-VI-free corrosion protection on metallic surfaces. Different fields of application are: Bearings, hinges, chains and the like.
If you need fire-resistant natural fibre based composites, thermal stable insulation and isolation materials or other temperature stable composites, a solution in creating theses materials can be given by nano-binding materials being available by chemical nano-technology. These nano-binders combine the properties of an inorganic thermal stable binding material with the flexibility and short process times of known organic binders, making these binders interesting for many application in new materials. The combination of organic and inorganic compounds in a molecular scale gives the possibility to adapt it in a wide range of fillers/substrates and process parameter.
As an example the development of a nano-binder bonded friction pad is shown above. For this product a nano-binder can be selectively adapted to the desired demands. While the temperature stability of the binding phase was a result of the inorganic binder matrix, comfort properties like vibrations or squeaking of breaks could be specific adapted by modification of the organic groups of the nano-binders. The advantage of nano-binders with an inorganic backbone are fading-free properties. Compared to conventional binders there is no leak of friction in case of high-friction load.
Contacts:
Dr. Carsten Becker-Willinger
Head of Nanomer
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-196
Fax: +49 (0)681-9300-223
E-mail: nanomere@inm-gmbh.de
Secretary
Sonja Immisch
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-375
Fax.: +49 (0)681-9300-223
E-mail: Sonja.Immisch@inm-gmbh.de
Dr. Matthias Wittmar
Head of Nanoprotect (Nanobinder)
Tel. +49(0)681-9300-118
E-mail: Matthias.Wittmar@inm-gmbh.de
Dr. Bernd Reinhard
Phone: +49 (0)681-9300-232
E-mail: Bernd.Reinhard@inm-gmbh.de