Development of thermochromic polymer materials, masterbatches, films and prototypes as well as materials testing at the Potsdam-Golm site
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Potsdam-Golm (DE)New on Amplifa
About Fraunhofer IAP – Competence Center for Color-Changing Materials
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP is a non-independent establishment of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. based in Potsdam-Golm. A key focus of the institute is the development of color-changing materials, in particular thermochromic polymers based on leuco or pH indicator dyes. The thermochromic effects are transferred into various polymer matrices – thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, casting resins, hydrogels, paints and coatings – without significantly altering their material-specific properties. The range of services includes consulting on switching materials, custom research solutions, plastics processing (masterbatches, pressed plates, single- and multi-layer films), micro- and nanoencapsulation, and spray drying. 3D printing and scanning processes as well as CNC plastics machining are available for prototypes. Materials testing is carried out, among others, in accordance with DIN EN 60068-2-30, DIN EN ISO 12543-4 (climate testing of laminated glass) and DIN EN 410 (radiometric properties of glazing). Applications include packaging films for food and pharmaceuticals, toys, and construction/glazing.
- Site
- Potsdam-Golm
- Processes
- Development of thermochromic additives for polymer matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets,, Processing of thermoplastics using extrusion processes, Masterbatch production, Pressed plate production, Production of (multi-layer) films, Prototype manufacturing using 3D printing, CNC plastics machining, Micro- and nanoencapsulation of color-changing materials and additives
- Materials
- Polylactic acid (PLA), Polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB), Thermoplastics, Thermosets, Elastomers, Casting resins, Hydrogels, Paints
- Certificates
- Materials testing according to DIN EN 60068-2-30 / DIN EN ISO 12543-4, Radiometric properties according to DIN EN 410, ISO 9001
- Industries
- Packaging (food, pharmaceuticals), Toys, Construction/glazing, Plastics industry
- 01
Consulting on switching materials and color-changing effects
- 02
Development of thermochromic additives
- 03
Micro- and nanoencapsulation
- 04
Spray drying
- 05
Masterbatch and pressed plate production
- 06
Film extrusion (single- and multi-layer)
- 07
Prototype manufacturing (3D printing, scanning processes, CNC machining)
- 08
Materials testing and characterization
Materials and Processes
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Biopolymer from renewable raw materials for thermochromic packaging films in the food sector.
Polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB)
Biopolymer for thermochromic applications with food safety requirements.
Thermoplastics
Processing via extrusion processes, among others with thermochromic additives.
Thermosets
Incorporation of thermochromic effects via the crosslinking process.
Elastomers
Thermochromic additives must remain chemically, mechanically and thermally stable here.
Casting resins
Matrices for custom research solutions with color-changing effects.
Hydrogels
Matrices for active and passive, reversible or irreversible switching.
Paints and coatings
Transfer of thermochromic effects via the application and curing process.
Site
Potsdam-Golm
DEResearch institute with pilot-scale plant
- Lot size
- Prototypes through research solutions
- Materials
- Thermoplastics, biopolymers (PLA, PHB), thermosets, elastomers, casting resins, hydrogels, paints, coatings
- Pilot-scale plant
- Extrusion systems
- 3D printing
- CNC plastics machining
- Spray drying
- 3D digital microscopy
- Climate test chambers
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development of thermochromic additives for polymer matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets,Plastics | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics, Thermosets, Elastomers, Paints, Coatings |
| Processing of thermoplastics using extrusion processesPlastics | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics, Biopolymers (PLA, PHB) |
| Masterbatch productionPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pressed plate productionPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Production of (multi-layer) filmsPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Prototype manufacturing using 3D printingAdditive | – | – | – | – | – |
| CNC plastics machiningMachining | – | – | – | – | Plastics |
| Micro- and nanoencapsulation of color-changing materials and additivesPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Spray drying of suspensions, emulsions or solutionsSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Climate testing of laminated glass (DIN EN 60068-2-30; DIN EN ISO 12543-4)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Determination of radiometric properties of glazing (DIN EN 410)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Characterization of surface topologies by means of 3D digital microscopyTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Investigation of material properties (interfacial properties, thermo-optical behavior)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Scanning processes (prototype manufacturing)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Consulting on switching materials and color-changing effectsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality and Testing
Materials testing is carried out in accordance with DIN EN 60068-2-30 and DIN EN ISO 12543-4 (climate testing of laminated glass) as well as DIN EN 410 (radiometric properties of glazing). Surface topologies are characterized by means of 3D digital microscopy; interfacial properties and thermo-optical behavior are investigated.
| Evidence | Potsdam-Golm |
|---|---|
| Materials testing according to DIN EN 60068-2-30 / DIN EN ISO 12543-4 | |
| Radiometric properties according to DIN EN 410 | |
| ISO 9001 |