Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize
Award year: 2004
Category: Award / Honour
Type: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize
Awarding organization: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Marion Merklein’s research focuses on manufacturing technologies, in particular laser forming, which is a forming method for light metals. This method involves heating metals to a high temperature for a short period of time and then forming them in a specific way. Marion Merklein has investigated changes in the microstructure of aluminium alloys that occur when they are heated for a short period of time. In addition, she has developed a process for recording so-called forming limit diagrams that enable the forming characteristics of sheet metal to be analysed. This work holds great potential, especially for the automotive industry.