Aerospace Technology

Climate protection and economic efficiency are key drivers for technological innovations in the aerospace industry. One important goal is to reduce aircraft fuel consumption – and thus CO2 emissions in the air. We support our national and international partners in reducing aircraft weight. In addition to carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP), lightweight metals such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium are used. To achieve the limits of what is technically feasible, innovative technologies and new high-performance materials must be able to withstand extreme cold and severe temperature changes.

Turbine and engine construction in particular offer numerous opportunities for optimization and cost savings. Solutions for new engine designs, longer-lasting turbine blades and cost-effective repair, maintenance processes are just some results of our many years of research and development work. Processes such as laser hardening, laser welding and laser cutting as well as innovative coating solutions and the almost limitless design freedom of additive manufacturing are used in aircraft construction as well as in rocket engines and space telescopes. We are also currently researching important future topics, such as the development of battery and design solutions for electrically powered aircraft or drones.

Our Services for the Aerospace Industry

Learn more about our latest research and development services. Do you have any questions about our comprehensive portfolio? Our contact partners will be happy to answer them. They will help to identify, evaluate and take advantages of opportunities.

Aircraft Construction

  • Joining technologies for metallic and carbon fiber reinforced materials and hybrid joints
  • Laser cutting of CFRP, FML and aluminum alloys
  • Laser surface pretreatment and patterning
  • Coating and functionalization of fiber-reinforced lightweight materials (e.g. wear protection and electrical properties)
  • Protective and barrier coatings for turbine blades
  • Repair and wear protection by laser cladding and laser hardening
  • Metallic 3D printing of engines
  • Use of high-performance materials for propulsion components (e.g. gas turbines and heat exchangers)
  • Air and filter technology for aircraft cabins 


Aerospace

  • Design and process development for additively manufactured aerospike rocket engines
  • 3D manufacturing of an optical bench for space telescopes
  • Reflective coatings for space telescopes
  • Printed heaters for space applications


Electric Aviation

  • Lightweight Li-S batteries for satellites and drones
  • Optimized joining technologies for safe hydrogen use
 

Press Release / 28.5.2024

Laser Technology for a Lighter Future Flying

CO2 Laser System Technology by Fraunhofer IWS Enables Efficient Joining of Large Volume Fiber Composite Aircraft Structures

 

News / 22.2.2023

More Efficient Coating Processes thanks to Simulation

Full Simulation Saves Material and Creates Better Results

 

News / 31.3.2022

ESA-ASPIRER

Aerospike rocket engine with 6000 Newton thrust from the powder bed 3D printer

 

News / 20.1.2022

Functionalization of FRP by means of thermal spraying

Manuel Reif wins award for his research on fiber-reinforced plastic composites

 

News / 11.8.2021

Functional conductor paths from the 3D printer

Functional structures as reliable and low-cost alternatives to manual cabling

 

News / 26.5.2021

Battery technology for flying

Electrification of mobility also affects aviation

 

Press release / 1.4.2021

Unweldable” not anymore

Optimized joining technology opens door to safe hydrogen use in aerospace industry

 

Press release / 22.3.2021

Additively manufactured rocket engine features an aerospike nozzle for microlaunchers