Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Chair of Steel & Lightweight Structures is a public research university and one of the largest research and educational institutions in Germany. KIT was created in 2009 when the University of Karlsruhe (Universität Karlsruhe), founded in 1825 as a public research university and also known as the "Fridericiana", merged with the Karlsruhe Research Centre. KIT is one of the leading universities for engineering and the natural sciences in Europe, ranking sixth overall in citation impact. The Research Center for Steel, Timber and Masonary of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology was founded in 1921 and consists of the KIT Timber Construction and Building Structures and KIT Steel and Lightweight Structures. The Research Center celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. Since its foundation, the Research Center has always adapted to the requirements and tasks of science and research, and the research results obtained in the process have been transferred to practical use. During its 100-year existence, the Research Center has attained a leading position as a nationally and internationally renowned research institution and testing institute as well as a high-performance partner of industry. This is evident from the numerous scientific publications and dissertations that have been published. The participation of members of the Research Center for Steel, Timber and Masonary in national and international regulatory bodies and the promotion of their research and development work by national and European research funding bodies, industrial and private companies and public authorities underlines the qualification. On behalf of private and public clients, numerous expert reports have been prepared in the subject area of civil engineering and plant construction, on the generally accepted rules of technology, the state of the art in science and the state of the art in technology. In the field of construction supervision, the Research Center is recognised and active as a testing, monitoring and certification body.

Targeted industries

Construction, Industrial Components

Key interests

Nano-formulated paints application, Nano-enabled surfaces for energy storage, Nano-enabled flexible glass, plastic and metal (including flexible electronics, Photovoltaics, heat exchangers and electrochromic envelopes)

Upscaling facilities

Testing facilities

Harsh industrial conditions, Intumescent Coatings, Bolts in harsh environments

Projects

Projects for this organisation have not been documented.

Services

Coating Testing

Increased aging speed and comparison of different formulations of organic coatings formulated with nano material on steel sheets. Screening of large numbers of coatings by electrical delamination prozesses in harsh environments.

Testing of intumescent coatings on site

Intumescent fire protection coatings have been used in structural steel construction for decades and are now indispensable in the fire protection of open structures. However, these are subject to aging and are usually neither tested nor maintained. However, in the event of a fire, these coatings can fail. It is possible to examine these coatings minimally invasively and to see whether they can still fulfill their function.

Testing in acidic environment

We can test components that are to be used in environments with a corrosive atmosphere. The components must withstand an industrial or laboratory atmosphere and must not show any corrosion or aging in effects, which is decreasing the life time. This method is suitable for chemical filling stations as well as laboratory equipment in laboratories in which many acids are used. This includes, for example, chemical cabinets for acids and fume cupboards.

Products

Products for this organisation have not been documented.