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Efficient simulation techniques are conceived, amongst other things, for the modelling and visualization of microstructure configurations of materials and structural components in production processes, within a joint research project in which the Karlsruhe, Aalen, and Pforzheim Universities were involved. To this end, it is firstly necessary to determine the structure in all of the three spatial directions (three dimensions) which then will help to establish mathematical simulation algorithms. In the further course of the project, it is also understood that the simulation results are checked up and verified again and again by the respective real structures. These activities indispensably presuppose a precise localization of the structure on several planes and a definition as to what is realized via so-called in-depth microsections. This makes it necessary to develop and optimize techniques both for the exact maintenance of an x-y local constancy and absolutely accurate depth determination (z coordinate). For this purpose, the Pforzheim University formulated a simple metallographic process technology which is aimed at precisely localizing the structures at a well-defined material removal rate. It is on this basis that structural regions can now be detected on several planes at the same location and a sufficient collection of data can be created for the three-dimensional simulations of polycrystalline grain structures.

Low alloy copper-based alloys are mainly used as conductive material in the field of electrical engineering. However, given a good electrical conductivity, they are characterized by low mechanical strength. Due to a low alloy content of currently used copper-magnesium, alloys rank among not precipitable homogeneous solid solutions. As a consequence, increases in strength can only be realized by means of solid solution strengthening and strain hardening. Up to now, the possibility of precipitation hardening remains largely untapped. In order to examine this potential for optimization regarding higher strength and enhanced conductivity, samples with differing Mg contents are prepared and systematically heat treated. This research work has the long-term objective of leaving the laboratory scale in order to make precipitable copper-magnesium alloys applicable for industry.