Materials Science and Testing of Polymers

M​​​​​​​ission and Vision

  • We train students at a high academic level with regard to polymer physics and polymer testing 
  • We perform world-class research in the fields of physics, materials science, testing and applications of polymers
  • We develop and optimize innovative materials, components and testing methodologies
  • We aim at significantly contributing to technical progress and sustainable development 
  • We cooperate and study with research institutes and companies worldwide

We are smart and reliable – in everything we do!

 

Our Team

Head of Institute

2021-05_Pinter__2_

Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Gerald Pinter
Head of RELIABLE Group

 +43 3842 402 - 2100
gerald.pinter(at)unileoben.ac.at  
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUonline)

Specialties: polymer mechanics, fracture mechanics, life-time prediction, durability and reliability of structural polymers, fatigue testing

Office Management

Research Professionals

Reza Afsharnia, Lis. Fogh-lis.

reza.afsharnia(at)unileoben.ac.at
+43 3842 402 - 2139
Profil (Pure)

Specialties: Fatigue analysis, fracture mechanics, thermomechanical behavior of short fiber reinforced polymers

 

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Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Florian Arbeiter

florian.arbeiter(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2122
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUOnline)

Specialties: Polymeric pipe grade materials, multi-layered systems and structures, fracture mechanics, mechanical impact and high-speed testing
2020-01_FeuchterMichael_quer_web

Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Michael Feuchter
michael.feuchter(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2110
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUOnline)

Specialties: polymeric nanocomposites, recycling of polymers and composites, morphology analysis with X-ray scattering, advanced dynamic mechanical analysis

Dipl.-Ing. Michael Huszar

michael.huszar(at)unileoben.ac.at
+43 3842 402 - 2136
Profil (Pure)

Specialties:

 

2021-04_GeraldPilz_Ausschnitt_web

Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Gerald Pilz

gerald.pilz(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2109
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUOnline)

Specialties: Mechanical and thermo-mechanical characterization of high performance plastics (technical thermoplastics and fiber reinforced plastics)
2021-05_Plevova_web

Ing. Katerina Plevova

katerina.plevova(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2119
Profil (Pure)

Specialties: polymer recycling, Raman and IR spectroscopy analysis of polymer and composites
2023_Resch-Fauster-Katharina_web

Assoz.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Katharina Resch-Fauster
Head of SMART Group

katharina.resch-fauster(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2105
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUOnline)

Specialties: sustainable energy production and storage, green engineering, polymers and composites based on renewable

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. mont. Gabriel Stadler

gabriel.stadler(at)unileoben.ac.at
+43 3842 402 -2104
Profil (Pure) | Profil (MUOnline) 

Specialties: Fatigue of polymers with focus on short fibre reinforced polymers, computer-aided service life assessments

Lukas Travnicek, Ing.

lukas.Travnicek(at)unileoben.ac.at
+43 3842 402 - 2134

Profile (Pure)
Research: Fracture mechanics, life-time prediction, fatigue testing, Finite element simulations of specimens and components

 

Dipl.-Ing. Christoph Waly

christoph.waly(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2127
Profil (Pure)

Specialities: testing in the field of additive manufacturing, polymer mechanics and fracture mechanics, multi-layered systems

Laboratory technicians

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Jürgen Föttinger Bsc.

juergen.foettinger(at)unileoben.ac.at 
+43 3842 402 - 2161
Profil (MUOnline)

    Cyclic test technique and component testing, engineering and construction, maintainance

    2021-04_Grosser_web

    Jürgen Grosser

    juergen.grosser(at)unileoben.ac.at
    +43 664 80 898 2114
    Profil (MUOnline)

    Mechanical testing, measurement and testing technology

    2021-06_Grassegger_web

    Franz Grassegger

    franz.grassegger(at)unileoben.ac.at 
    +43 3842 402 - 2131
    Profil (MUOnline)

    Machine shop

    2021-05_Rath_web

    Walter Rath

    walter.rath(at)unileoben.ac.at 
    +43 3842 402 - 2108
    Profil (MUOnline)

    Microscopy and sample preparation

    Teaching

    Teaching

    We play an active role in the education of students  in the study programs Polymer Science and Technology, Materials Science and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Recycling Technology and Industrial Process Engineering.

    Research

    Our research philosophy encourages faculty, post-docs, professionals, and students from different science and engineering disciplines to work in a collaborative environment to meet our current research goals. Our researchers conduct world-class research in the fields of physics, materials science, testing and applications of polymeric materials. SMART and RELIABLE describe our mindset but also comprise our main fields of expertise. Please click on the links below to find out more.  

    Icon_SMART
    Icon_RELIABLE

    Science

    • Polymer Competence Center Leoben (A)
    • Technical University Vienna
      Institute for Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics
    • AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (A)
      Leichtmetall Kompetenzzentrum Ranshofen
    • Imperial College London (GB)
      Department of Mech. Eng.
    • Technical University Munich (D)
      Chair Carbon Composites
    • Polytecnico di Milano (I)
      Dipartimento di Chimica
    • Academy of Sciences Brno (CZ)
      Institute of Physics of Materials

    Industry

    • BMW AG (D)
    • Robert Bosch GmbH (D)
    • ContiTech Industrial Rubber Kft (H)
    • Dow Europe GmbH (CH)
    • EMS Chemie AG (CH)
    • FACC AG (A)
    • Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH (A)
    • MAHLE Filtersysteme GmbH (A)
    • Poloplast GmbH  Co KG (A)
    • Semperit Technische Produkte GmbH (A)
    • SKF Sealing Solutions Austria GmbH (A)
    • Volkswagen AG (D)

    We are part of AM@MUL

    At Montanuniversität, a group of more than 60 researchers are working in the field of additive manufacturing and have now joined forces in the AM@MUL network. → More information can be found here

     

    Publications

    For a list of current publications please follow the link on the right side. 

    Equipment

    Our testing laboratories consist of microscopic, spectroscopic, polymer-physical and mechanical characterization facilities, which contain the latest version of standard as well as some specialized equipment complemented by various sample preparation, sample conditioning and deformation analysis devices.

    The laboratories are used to establish the basic molecular and microstructure as well as the thermal, thermo-mechanical and mechanical macroscopic properties of polymers and composites. Our expertise comprises:

    • Morphology and structure analysis on various length-scales
    • Generation of comprehensive polymer-physical property profiles
    • Mechanical and component testing on various time-scales 

     

    For details as to our devices please adhere to the equipment list of the department
    Equipmentlist Polymer Engineering and Science Leoben

    General Laboratory Policy (english/german)

    Contact & Approach

    Institute of Materials Science and Testing of Polymers
    Otto Glöckel-Straße 2
    8700 Leoben
    Austria

    +43 3842 402 2101
    wpk(at)unileoben.ac.at

     

    Office
    2nd floor, straight ahead of the elevator.