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Knowmats is an informal repository of information related to materials and simulation. The information helps simulation professionals perform best-in-class simulation with a better understanding of how materials are represented in FEA and simulation. read more...


A Strategy for Material Testing and Data Management for the Automotive Industry 

Today, CAE is integrated with modern automotive product development. This creates new challenges for departments that support new product development. In the materials arena, the testing is elevated to much higher levels of sophistication and precision to accommodate the complex material models used in CAE. It is no longer simple matter to convert raw data into material model parameters. We present an end-to-end strategy that gives automakers a well managed pathway to transforming to simulation-based design. We operate a quick-turnaround expert material testing lab to support high-end CAE and product development. We provide a data management software designed specifically to capture and display material data of any complexity. The software can transform raw material data into material parameter files for most commonly used simulations. The CAE Modeler software is of adequate sophistication to fit equations to data, visualize material models along with raw data, and output material cards. Examples for high strain-rate crash material modeling will be presented.

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Automotive CAE Vendor/Supplier Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Presentations


Plastics & Simulation 

Plastics exhibit non-linear viscoelastic behavior followed by a combination of deviatoric and volumetric plastic deformation until failure. Capturing these phenomena correctly in simulation presents a challenge because of the inadequacy of currently used material models. We follow an approach where we outline the general behavioral phenomena, then prescribe material models for handling different phases of plastics deformation. Edge cases will then be covered to complete the picture. Topics to be addressed include: Using elasto-plasticity; When to use hyperelasticity; Brittle polymers – filled plastics; Failure modes to consider; Criteria for survival; Choosing materials; Spatial non-isotropy from injection molding; Importance of residual stress; Visco-elastic and creep effects; Strain-rate effects for drop test and crash simulations; Fitting material data to FEA material models.

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Plastics High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models ANSYS Presentations


Estimation of Elongational Viscosity Using Entrance Flow Simulation

A new elongational viscosity model along with the Carreau-Yasuda model for shear viscosity is used for a finite element simulation of the flow in a capillary rheometer die. The entrance pressure loss predicted by the finite element flow simulation is matched with the corresponding experimental data to predict the parameters in the new elongational viscosity model. For two different polymers, the predicted elongational viscosity is compared with the corresponding predictions from Cogswell’s analysis and K-BKZ model.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion PolyXtrue Research Papers


Elongational Viscosity of LDPEs and Polystyrenes using Entrance Loss Data

For two low-density polyethylenes and two polystyrenes, axisymmetric and planar elongational viscosities are estimated using entrance loss data from capillary and slit rheometers, respectively. The elongational viscosity is estimated by optimizing the values of various parameters in the Sarkar–Gupta elongational viscosity model such that the entrance loss predicted by a finite element simulation agrees with the corresponding experimental data. The predicted entrance loss is in good agreement with the experimental data at high flow rates. The difference in the experimental and predicted entrance loss at lower flow rates might have been caused by large error in the experimental data in this range.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion PolyXtrue Research Papers


Effect of Wall Slip on the Flow in a Flat Die for Sheet Extrusion

Flow in a flat die with coat hanger type of manifold is simulated allowing slip on die walls. Flow in the same die was also simulated by enforcing the no-slip condition on the walls. With slip on the die walls, the pressure drop, shear rate, stress, as well as temperature increase in the die, all were smaller than the corresponding values with no-slip condition on the walls. For the case with slip on die walls, since the shear rate is smaller, the elongation rate in the die is found to be the dominant fraction of the total strain rate. Due to its high computational efficiency, the software employed in this work can be effectively used to design extrusion dies for fluids exhibiting slip on die walls.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion PolyXtrue Research Papers


Material Testing and Calibration for Non-Linear ANSYS Simulations 

Material modeling has become increasing important as ANSYS software has added analysis capabilities such as non-linear CAE, crash, CFD, and manufacturing process simulation. Poor material representaion brings risk to CAE and product development. Material data needs for various material models are discussed.

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ANSYS ANSYS FIDAP MSC.NASTRAN Presentations


Closing the Gap: Improving Solution Accuracy with Better Material Models 

We discuss open issues in material models for plastics and propose better means of acquiring the right material data for Moldflow simulations using current testing technologies.

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Plastics Material Supplier Mold Maker/Designer Injection Molding Moldflow Presentations


Effect of Polymer Viscosity on Post-Die Extrudate Shape Change in Coextruded Profiles

Bi-layer flow in a profile coextrusion die was simulated. Prediction of post-die changes in extrudate profile was included in the simulation. Mesh partitioning technique was used to allow the coextrusion simulation without modifying the finite element mesh in the profile die. Effect of polymer viscosities on the change in profile shape after the polymers leave the die is analyzed. It is found that a difference in the viscosities of the coextruded polymers can lead to a highly non-uniform velocity distribution at die exit. Accordingly, post-die changes in extrudate shape were found to be widely different when the polymers in the two coextruded layers were changed.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion PolyXtrue Research Papers


Mechanical Properties of Polymers and Composites, 2nd Edition: Book Review

This book presents a valuable resource for engineers and designers seeking to apply structural analysis and other advanced methods to the design of plastic parts. The reader learns what to expect for the mechanical properties of polymers and develops a grasp of how plastics respond to various applied stress conditions. The book introduces mechanical tests and polymer transitions, moving onward into chapters on elastic behavior, creep and stress relaxation, dynamic mechanical properties, stress- strain behavior and strength, It also covers abrasion, fatigue, friction and stress cracking. Additionally, the effects of fillers and fibers on these properties are considered.

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Mechanical Plastics Structural Analysis Composites Book Review


Methodology for Selection of Material Models for Plastics Impact Simulation

The volume of plastics that are subjected to impact simulation has grown rapidly. In a previous paper, we discussed why different material models are needed to describe the highly varied behavior exhibited by these materials. In this paper, we cover the subject in more detail, exploring in depth, the nuances of commonly used LS-DYNA material models for plastics, covering important exceptions and criteria related to their use.

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Plastics High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers