B3: Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of thin layers

Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of thin layers

The mechanical properties of metals are strongly affected by interfaces. Within this project area micromechanical testing methods such as micro tensile testing, bulge testing and nanoindentation are applied to metallic thin films or micropillars.In situ electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy are used to analyze the resulting deformation processes. The goal is to understand how grain boundaries and surfaces influence the strength and fracture toughness of metals.