Since 2014, the DGM has honored individual members of our professional association who have become pioneers in scientific networking and modern cooperation between academic and industrial research through their commitment. These members are recognized with the DGM Pioneer Award. We warmly congratulate Dr.-Ing. Dirk Bettge of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) on being named the 2025 DGM Pioneer.

1) Fractography is a field that requires a great deal of detective work. What led you to devote your scientific career to examining fracture surfaces, and what appeals to you personally about it?

In many cases of damage, components break, resulting in fracture surfaces. Reading the traces of the damage on these surfaces can be very helpful in clarifying the case. Fracture surfaces often contain more information than one might initially think. However, very few damage analysts specialize in fractography, even though it is important not to overlook information in this area.

2) You have investigated a wide variety of damage claims. Is there one case that stands out to you—and why?

For example, the detailed investigation into the causes of damage to electricity pylons in the Münsterland region in 2005 was particularly time-consuming. This investigation led to prolonged, widespread power outages. Amidst tons of scrap metal, we had to find the break points where entire cascades had started, like finding a needle in a haystack. The most complex task was successfully executing comparative tests to recreate and understand the damage mechanisms based on microstructural conditions and fracture mechanisms. As is often the case in damage analysis, many factors had to be considered—simple explanations often do not lead to the desired result.

3) You developed a standardized system for describing fracture surfaces, which is highly relevant today in the context of data infrastructures, such as the NFDI. How did you establish this standard, and what motivated you to create a uniform language in this area?

The Fraktography Working Group aimed to create a consistent and straightforward symbol system to describe fracture characteristics and mechanisms. There is currently no such system, nor is there a standard for one. Currently, everyone has to reconsider these things for each new expert opinion. This is why we began developing a symbol system and making it available online to all interested parties via the Fraktography database.

4) Since the 1990s, you have worked in the fields of materialography and fractography, from damage analysis of individual components to creating a digital fracture surface database. Which changes in methods and working practices have influenced you the most during this time, and what do you think young professionals should learn today?

In essence, our approach today is similar to that of Mr. Martens in the 19th century, which resulted in the establishment of BAM 120 years ago. However, we now have more precise analytical methods, such as electron microscopy with chemical and crystallographic microanalysis. Thanks to electronics and digitalization, measurement methods have become more powerful and faster. Data and knowledge can now be exchanged online, and databases supplement printed literature. Artificial intelligence is giving old fields of study a new boost and making things possible that had previously failed. It's an exciting time, and fractography should be at the forefront of this research.

Congratulations again to Dr. Dirk Bettge on this special award! We look forward to honoring him and all the award winners at DGM Day 2025, where we can get to know them personally.