Address: Schlossgartenstraße 6, 64289 Darmstadt (Germany)
Phone: 06151 7058705
Website: https://www.lbf.fraunhofer.de/
Contact: Frank Schönberger
The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF in Darmstadt works with industry and research partners to develop innovative, reliable, and recyclable products and technical systems. Since 1938, the institute has been dedicated to application-oriented research; it has been part of the Fraunhofer Society since 1962.
The focus is on a holistic analysis of materials, components, and systems. The Fraunhofer LBF investigates how material properties, manufacturing processes, design, operating conditions, and their interactions within the overall system influence function, safety, service life, and recyclability. Materials, components, and systems are therefore not considered in isolation but are developed, evaluated, and optimized across their interfaces.
The institute develops and optimizes plastics for selected applications and validates new, modified, and circular materials for industrial use. Experimental investigations are combined with simulation, digital twins, data analysis, and AI-based methods. This enables the understanding of material behavior and damage mechanisms, the control of vibrations and noise, the evaluation of service life and reliability, and the validation of functions and systems under realistic conditions. Insights from testing, condition monitoring, and operation are incorporated into further development. Material substitution, repair, reuse, and recycling are considered at an early stage.
Fraunhofer LBF supports companies throughout the entire process—from requirements definition and design, through virtual and experimental optimization, to validation, operational monitoring, and further development. Key application areas include mobility systems and technologies, mechanical and plant engineering, plastics and chemicals, and energy applications.