UROP Project

Electrical Insulating Coatings based on High-Performance Composite Materials for Applications in Electro Mobility

To increase the lifetime of bearings in rail vehicle drive trains, which break at an early stage due to parasitic currents running through them. Current coating systems can not meet these requirements of modern electronic engines. Consequently, high-performance hybrid coating system for efficient electrical insulation of bearings in rail vehicles are being developed.

Task

Novel electrically insulating composite materials are under development. These will be applied as coatings by thermal spraying for sufficient electrical insulation at high frequencies. In this thesis, the relevant failure mechanisms will be analysed by combining different matrix- and filling materials. The electrical properties of each coating system are adjusted with respect to the requirements of the application. Applicable coating systems with sufficient electrical properties are further tested tribologically and mechanically to be qualified as coatings for bearings.

Requirements

You are student and have a high interest in the following topings: - Surface Engineering - Thermal Spraying - Polymer and ceramic materials - Electrical material properties