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Posts in Category: 'Plastics'


Beyond Standards: Material Testing and Processing for Successful Simulations of Polymeric Materials (LAW76)

Our presentation, “Beyond Standards: Material Testing and Processing for Successful Simulations of Polymeric Materials (LAW76)”, focuses on the Semi-Analytical Model for Polymers (SAMP), a material law developed for simulating complex polymer behavior in industries like automotive and aerospace. SAMP integrates strain-rate dependencies and a damage model for accurate predictions in crash and impact scenarios but faces limitations like slow convergence and the absence of a damage model that incorporates strain-rate and triaxiality dependencies. We emphasize the need to go beyond standardized testing, advocating for tailored tests that better reflect real-world conditions, such as varying strain rates, geometries, and environmental factors. This presentation also details a semi-automated calibration process for SAMP and BIQUAD models using iterative workflows to optimize simulation accuracy for tension, compression, shear, and impact tests. Ultimately, SAMP’s flexibility and predictive accuracy make it a powerful tool, but its successful implementation requires advanced knowledge, customized testing, and careful calibration to ensure stability and reliability in material simulations.

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Plastics Yielding/Failure Analysis Altair RADIOSS Presentations Validation


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring 2024, Vol. 30.1

Successful accreditation audits; company growth; technical conferences

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Thermal Mechanical Plastics Metals Aerospace and Defense Automotive Composites Newsletters Quality


Material Testing for SIGMASOFT

Material characterization considerations for SIGMASOFT simulations using thermoplastic and thermoset materials.

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Rheology Thermal Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Injection Molding SIGMASOFT


Datapoint Newsletter: Winter '22, Vol. 28.1

DatapointLabs Achieves Nadcap® Accreditation

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Thermal Mechanical Plastics Composites Quality


Non-Isochoric Plasticity Assessment for Accurate Crashworthiness CAE Analysis. Application to SAMP-1 and SAMP-Light.

A deep understanding of advanced material plasticity and fracture is one of the cornerstones of mechanical engineering to overcome present and future challenges in the automotive industry with respect to lightweight multi-material body solutions. The correct material law selection may imply a design lightweight efficiency improvement of between 10% and 20% depending on the material, component geometry, manufacturing technology and performance requirements. The accurate implementation of the plastic behaviour becomes mandatory when material fracture is a central design parameter. In this paper, the authors propose a clear process to experimentally measure and assess how far uniaxially tested materials are from pure isochoric plastic behaviour. This process will be named Non-isochoric Plasticity Assessment (NPA). In order to illustrate the process, NPA will be applied to actual experimental results of representative automotive metals and thermoplastics. Material plastic dilation behaviour is studied. A general description is provided regarding plasticity theory concepts required for the usage of non-isochoric plasticity material laws. An approach for the validation of the experimental input data consistency for both SAMP-1 and SAMP-Light material laws is also proposed. The overall approach is finally applied and validated on an extruded aluminium and a thermoplastic showing a proper level of correlation between CAE and experimental results for shell-based FE-models.

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Plastics Metals Automotive Structural Analysis LS-DYNA


Datapoint Newsletter: Fall 2021, Vol. 27.3

Improving Crash Simulations; Growth in Testing Services after Move

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Mechanical Plastics Metals Automotive LS-DYNA Newsletters


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring '20, Vol. 26.1

DatapointLabs Celebrates 25 Years

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Mechanical Plastics Metals Automotive Structural Analysis Moldflow LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Moldex3D Newsletters Validation Altair HyperWorks


Datapoint Newsletter: Summer '19, Vol. 25.3

New DatapointLabs Website; High Temperature Crash Properties

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Density Rheology Thermal Mechanical Plastics Automotive High Speed Testing Injection Molding Structural Analysis LS-DYNA ANSYS DIGIMAT Composites Newsletters Validation


Datapoint Newsletter: Winter '19, Vol. 25.1

High Humidity Testing, TestCart Online Order System, Matereality Version 12, Upcoming Events

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Mechanical Plastics Newsletters Matereality Materials Information Management


Datapoint Newsletter: Winter '18, Vol. 24.1

Focus on Validation of Simulation: CAETestBench Validation for crash, additive manufacturing, injection molding, rubber hyperelasticity; Review of NAFEMS publication on V&V.

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Plastics Rubbers Metals High Speed Testing Injection Molding Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Altair RADIOSS Newsletters Validation 3D Printing OptiStruct


The Role of Material Data in the Simulation of Injection Molded Parts

The modeling of material behavior for injection molded plastics is a vital step for good simulation results. We detail the types of material data needed by various injection-molding simulation programs, factors that can affect simulation quality including test techniques and process variables such as moisture content. The case of fiber filled plastics is covered along with the extension to structural analysis applications.

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Plastics Viscoelastic Rate Dependency Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Moldflow LS-DYNA Abaqus Moldex3D DIGIMAT SIGMASOFT Universal Molding Simpoe-Mold Presentations Validation


Datapoint Newsletter: Summer '17, Volume 23.3

Upcoming Events, Technical Team Expands

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Plastics Injection Molding Structural Analysis Moldflow LS-DYNA ANSYS Moldex3D DIGIMAT Universal Molding Newsletters Validation ANSA


The Role of Materials in Simulation-Driven Product Development

DatapointLabs Technical Center for Materials has a mission to strengthen the materials core of manufacturing enterprises by facilitating the use of new materials, novel manufacturing processes, and simulation-based product development. A whole-process approach is needed to address the role of materials in this context.

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Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Metals Hyperelastic Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis ANSYS Validation 3D Printing Matereality Materials Information Management


Mid-Stage Validation as a Process Step in Simulation V&V

Physically accurate simulation is a requirement for initiatives such as late-stage prototyping, additive manufacturing and digital twinning. The use of mid-stage validation has been shown to be a valuable tool to measure solver accuracy prior to use in simulation. Factors such as simulation settings, element type, mesh size, choice of material model, the material model parameter conversion process, quality and suitability of material property data used can all be evaluated. These validations do not use real-life parts, but instead use carefully designed standardized geometries in a controlled physical test that probes the accuracy of the simulation. With this a priori knowledge, it is possible to make meaningful design decisions. Confidence is gained that the simulation replicates real-life physical behavior. We present three case studies using different solvers and materials, which illustrate the broad applicability of this technique.

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Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Metals Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Research Papers Presentations Validation 3D Printing


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring '17, Volume 23.2

Matereality v11, upcoming presentations

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Plastics Automotive Moldflow LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Moldex3D SIGMASOFT SOLIDWORKS Altair RADIOSS Validation ANSA Matereality


Insights into the Simulation of Failure of Ductile Plastics

Performing simulations that can approximate the material behavior of ductile plastics is daunting. Factors such as nonlinear elasticity, inclusion of volumetric and deviatoric behavior, finding and correctly applying the proper material data to create failure criteria are only a few hurdles. A variety of material models exist, each with numerous settings and varied parameter conversion methods. Combined, these cause a great deal of uncertainty for the FEA user. In previous papers, we delved into material models for both LS-DYNA (MAT089, MAT024, and MAT187) and ABAQUS (*ELASTIC, *PLASTIC) using mid-stage validation as a technique to probe solver accuracy. In this presentation, we summarize our findings on the benefits of this combined approach as a general tool to test and tune simulations for greater reliability.

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Mechanical Plastics Automotive High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Universal Crash Presentations Validation


Datapoint Newsletter: Winter '17, Volume 23.1

New test capabilities, Matereality v10.2, upcoming presentations

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Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Hyperelastic Viscoelastic Rate Dependency High Speed Testing Structural Analysis Composites Newsletters Validation


Datapoint Newsletter: Fall '16, Volume 22.4

CAETestBench Validations; Matereality Enterprise Workflows; Latest Publications Available on Knowmats

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Plastics Rubbers Metals Hyperelastic Plasticity Rate Dependency Automotive Nonlinear Material Models LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Altair RADIOSS Newsletters Validation 3D Printing


Workshop: Testing, Modeling and Validation for Plastics & Rubber Simulation in ANSYS

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 limitations in commonly 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; The use of mid-stage validation as a tool to confirm the quality of simulation before use in real-life applications.

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Density Rheology Thermal Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Hyperelastic Viscoelastic Plasticity Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Injection Molding Structural Analysis ANSYS Presentations Validation


Using Mid-stage Validation to Increase Confidence in Simulation of TPOs

Finite element analysis of plastics contains assumptions and uncertainties that can affect simulation accuracy. It is useful to quantify these effects prior to using simulation for real-life applications. A mid-stage validation uses a controlled physical test on a standardized part to compare results from simulation to physical experiment. These validations do not use real-life parts but carefully designed geometries that probe the accuracy of the simulation; the geometries themselves can be tested with boundary conditions that can be simulated correctly. In one study, a quasi-static three-point bending experiment of a standardized parallel ribbed plate is performed and simulated, using Abaqus. A comparison of the strain fields resulting from the complex stress state on the face of the ribs obtained by digital image correlation (DIC) vs. simulation is used to quantify the simulation's fidelity. In a second study, a dynamic dart impact experiment is validated using LS-Dyna probing the multi-axial deformation of a polypropylene until failure.

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Mechanical Plastics Automotive Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus Presentations Validation


Progress on the Validation of Simulation for Ductile Polymers

We will focus on our work related to the testing, modeling and validation of simulation for crash and durability applications, including testing techniques, software tools for material parameter conversion, and the use of a mid-stage validation process that uses standardized experiments to check the accuracy of the simulation prior to use in real-life applications. In addition, we present a short introduction to the Knowmats initiative which seeks to collect posts and links to papers from industry experts as a reference for simulation professionals.

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Mechanical Plastics Automotive High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Universal Crash Presentations Validation


Damage Modeling under Impact Loading in Talc-Filled Polypropylene Compounds

Topics covered: Damage in mineral filled polypropylene under impact conditions; damage modeling and parameter identification (prior art, LyondellBasell contributions, debate in the CAE community); experimental and numerical validation; next steps

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive Material Supplier High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Presentations


A Standardized Mechanism to Validate Crash Models for Ductile Plastics

Quantifying simulation accuracy before running crash simulations could be a helpful confidence building measure. This study continues our development of a mechanism to validate material models for plastics used in modeling high-speed impact. Focusing on models for isotropic materials that include options for rate dependency and failure, we explore other models commonly used for ductile plastics including MAT089 and MAT187.

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive Toys/Sporting Goods Packaging High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers Validation


Determination and Use of Material Properties for Finite Element Analysis: Book Review

This book is intended to be a companion to the NAFEMS book, "An Introduction to the Use of Material Models in FE". It informs Finite Element Analysis users of the manner and methodologies by which materials are tested in order to calibrate material models currently implemented in various FEA programs. While the authors seek first to satisfy the basic material models outlined in the companion book, they make important extensions to FEA used in currently active areas including explicit simulation.

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Mechanical Plastics Rubbers Foams Metals Hyperelastic Viscoelastic Plasticity Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Building Materials Consumer Products Energy and Petroleum Material Supplier Furniture Industrial Goods CAE Vendor/Supplier Packaging Home Appliances Research Laboratory High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS DIGIMAT SOLIDWORKS MSC.DYTRAN MSC.MARC MSC.NASTRAN NX Nastran PAM-COMFORT PAM-CRASH Altair RADIOSS SIMULIA Book Review


Using an Intermediate Validation Step to Increase CAE Confidence

Simulations contain assumptions and uncertainties that a designer must evaluate to obtain a measure of accuracy. The assumptions of the product design can be differentiated from the ones for the solver and material model through the use of a mid-stage validation. An open loop validation uses a controlled test on a standardized part to compare results from a simulation to the physical experiment. From the validation, confidence in the material model and solver is gained. In this study, the material properties of a polypropylene are tested to characterize for an *ELASTIC *PLASTIC model in ABAQUS. A validation of a quasi-static three-point bending experiment of a parallel ribbed plate is then performed and simulated. A comparison of the strain fields resulting from the complex stress state on the face of the ribs obtained by digital image correlation (DIC) vs. simulation is used to quantify the simulation's fidelity.

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Plastics Plasticity Automotive Biomedical Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Furniture Packaging Home Appliances Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Research Papers Validation


Prediction of the Plastic Component Parts Durability with Use of a Drop Test Simulation

I found this to be a good explanation of calculating linear Drucker Prager variables for Abaqus.

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Mechanical Plastics Plasticity Nonlinear Material Models Abaqus


Thermoplastic Material Testing for Use in SIGMASOFT and the Effect of Moisture on PA 6/6

Thermoplastic materials are one of the largest categories of materials to be injection molded. Moisture-sensitive materials can lead to issues in the molding process. Simulation of the injection molding process requires sophisticated and exact material properties to be measured. This presentation discusses the testing required to characterize a thermoplastic material for use in SIGMASOFT, as well as the effects of moisture on viscosity measurement of a moisture-sensitive material. Consequences of basing designs on wet or dry materials are covered. Implementation of material data into the software to produce a successful injection molding simulation simulation is described.

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Rheology Plastics CAE Vendor/Supplier Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models SIGMASOFT Presentations


Characterization of Polyolefins for Design Under Impact: from True Stress/ Local Strain Measurements to the F.E. Simulation with LS-Dyna Mat. SAMP-1

Optical strain measurement for the mechanical characterization of polymers, and in particular of polyolefins, is becoming a common practice to determine the parameters to be used in a finite element analysis of crash problems. This experimental technique allows measuring the strain locally on the specimen, so that it is particularly suitable when the deformation is localized, as in the case of polymers: therefore a more accurate description of the behaviour of the material is obtained. By so doing, it is possible to describe the material constitutive law in terms of the true, local strain and of the true stress. As these data are those needed by the most complete material models developed for impact calculation, it is clear that this technique is particularly suitable for coupling with the most advanced material models currently available in the F.E. codes, as for instance with Mat 187 (SAMP-1) of LS-Dyna. The local measurement of the strain can also be used for evaluating the volume strain, whose evolution with the increasing strain shows that for PP-based material the deformation is not isochoric in most the cases. The observed increase in the material volume reflects the fact that voids generate and coalesce within the material, possibly resulting in fracture. The measure of the volume strain, computed as the trace of the strain tensor, is here used for determining the damage function utilized by the damage model implemented in SAMP-1. The effective stress is here estimated as the stress which would be measured if the deformation was isochoric, and it can be assessed on the basis of the measurement of the longitudinal local strain only. Corresponding to each value of longitudinal strain, the volume strain is then used to calculate the ratio between the effective and the true stress. Adopting this procedure, the damage function is thus determined without the needs of repeated loading-unloading tests used to derive the damage parameter from the unloading slope, which is furthermore difficult to be measured. As an application, the results of the numerical reproduction of a benchmark test, consisting in a drop test on a polypropylene box, are presented and discussed

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


Simulating anisotropy with Ls-dyna in glass-reinforced, polypropylene-based components

Glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (GF PP) materials are increasingly being used by customers to replace metal and engineering polymers in structural automotive applications. Like all glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastics, GF PP products can show anisotropy caused by fiber orientation that is induced by the injection process. Taking into account fiber orientation in the simulations enables designers to improve the accuracy of the analyses. This can help prevent arbitrary choices and assumptions when setting material parameters, which become mandatory when an isotropic material law is used. The method proposed in this paper takes advantage of the availability within Ls-dyna of an anisotropic material law (MAT_103), which allows simplified modeling to address critical issues. This law was not developed to address the problem discussed here. Therefore, this paper illustrates a simplified approach. The presence of glass reinforced fibers is taken into account by running a mold-filling analysis, and then transferring the material flow orientation in to the structural simulation as a material angle. The dependence of the material failure strain on the material orientation can be also easily modeled through a user subroutine. Finally, the approach only requires simple material data based on basic tensile tests; the material law parameters are then identified through optimization techniques. Although this approach is based on some simplifying assumptions, its application is quick and can help the designer obtain more accurate results with respect to the traditional isotropic approach. A selection of validation tests is then proposed that show reliable predictions using limited additional computational effort.

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


Mold Tempering: Conformal Cooling - yes or no?

The tempering layout for injection molds is often designed departing from previous experiences. The manufacturing feasibility is the main driver when deciding where to place cooling lines. However, often the relevance of the tempering in the process profitability or in the part quality is underestimated, and due to the lack of better information sometimes the resulting tempering performs far from the optimum. As a consequence, the molding efficiency is reduced, the part quality is compromised and, once the mold is already built, sometimes expensive trial-and-error is required to bring the mold to an optimum configuration.

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Rheology Thermal Plastics Automotive Biomedical Injection Molding SIGMASOFT Newsletters


Ejection system design: Optimization with SIGMASOFT Virtual Molding

As the demand for functional integration and the need of design differentiation in manufactured products increase, the complexity of plastic parts increases as well; thus some previous knowledge on effective ejection systems becomes insufficient and the challenges in the design of ejection systems grow consistently.

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Rheology Plastics Rubbers Viscoelastic Automotive Biomedical Injection Molding SIGMASOFT Newsletters


Caratterizzazione di materiali plastici: misure locali di deformazione per la simulazione ad elementi finiti di problemi di impatto

Questo articolo si propone di illustrare l’importanza dell’utilizzo di metodi per la misura delle proprietà locali del materiale per determinarne la legge di comportamento. Vengono di seguito presentati alcuni esempi che evidenziano quanto più accurate e realistiche siano le simulazioni numeriche di test di trazione ad alta velocità su provini di poliolefine, quando vengano utilizzate proprietà dei materiali rilevate con misure locali, utilizzando metodi ottici. La disponibilità di misure locali e più accurate evidenzia come sia necessario che nei codici di calcolo commerciali vengano implementate delle leggi di materiale più sofisticate di quelle disponibili attualmente, che sono state per lo più originariamente sviluppate per materiali metallici, e dunque non riescono sempre a predire correttamente il comportamento dei componenti in materiali polimerici.

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


Creep modelling of Polyolefins using artificial neural networks

Notwithstanding the increasing demand for polymeric materials in an extraordinary variety of applications, the engineers have often only limited tools suitable for the design of parts made of polymers, both in terms of mathematical models and reliable material data, which together constitute the basis for a finite-elements based design. Within this context, creep modelling constitutes a clear example of the needs for a more refined approach. An accurate prediction of the creep behaviour of polymers would definitely lead to a more refined design and thus to a better performance of the polymeric components. However, a limited number of models is available within the f.e. codes, and when the model complexity increases, it becomes sometimes difficult fitting the models parameters to the experimental data. In order to predict the polymer creep behaviour, this paper proposes a solution based on artificial neural networks, where the experimental creep curves are used to determine the parameters of a neural network which is then simply implemented in an Abaqus user subroutine. This allows to avoid the implementation of a complex material law and also the difficulties related to match the experimental data to the model parameters, keeping easily into account the dependence on stress and temperature. After a discussion of the selection of the appropriate network and its parameters, an example of the application of this approach to polyolefins in a simplified test case is presented.

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Mechanical Plastics Automotive Biomedical Structural Analysis Abaqus Research Papers Validation


A Systematic Approach to Model Metals, Compact Polymers and Structural Foams in Crash Simulations with a Modular User Material

"Today the automotive industry is faced with the demand to build light fuel-efficient vehicles while optimizing its crashworthiness and stiffness. A wide variety of new metallic and polymeric materials have been introduced to account for these increased requirements. Numerical analysis can significantly support this process if the analysis is really predictive. Within the numerical model a correct characterization of the material behaviour – including elasto-viscoplastic behaviour and failure - is substantial. The particular behaviour of each material group must be covered by the material model. The user material model MF GenYld+CrachFEM allows for a modular combination of phenomenological models (yield locus, strain hardening, damage evolution, criteria for fracture initiation) to give an adequate representation of technical materials. This material model can be linked to LS-DYNA when using the explicit-dynamic time integration scheme. This paper gives an overview on the material characterization of ultra high strength steels (with focus on failure prediction), non-reinforced polymers (with focus on anisotropic hardening of polymers), and structural foams (with focus on compressibility and stress dependent damage evolution) with respect to crash simulation. It will be shown that a comprehensive material model - including damage and failure behaviour - enables a predictive simulation without iterative calibration of material parameters. A testing programme has been done for each material group in order to allow a fitting of the parameters of the material model first. In a second step different component tests have been carried out, which were part of a systematic procedure to validate the appropriate predictions of the crash behaviour with LS-Dyna and user material MF_GenYld+CrachFEM for each material group."

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Mechanical Plastics Foams Metals Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


A Constitutive Formulation for Polymers Subjected to High Strain Rates

"Reliable prediction of the behavior of structures made from polymers is a topic under considerable investigation in engineering practice. Especially, if the structure is subjected to dynamic loading, constitutive models considering the mechanical behavior properly are still not available in commercial finite element codes yet. In our paper, we present a new constitutive law for polymers which recovers important phenomena like necking, crazing, strain rate dependency, unloading behavior and damage. In particular, different yield surfaces in compression and tension and strain rate dependent failure, the latter with damage induced erosion, is taken into account. All relevant parameters are given directly in the input as load curves, i.e. time consuming parameter identification is not necessary. Moreover, the models by von Mises and Drucker-Prager are included in the description as special cases. With the present formulation, standard verification test can be simulated successfully: tensile and compression test, shear test and three point bending tests."

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Mechanical Plastics Plasticity Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


A Comparative Review of Damage and Failure Models and a Tabulated Generalization

"Reliable prediction of damage and failure in structural parts is a major challenge posed in engineering mechanics. Although solid material models predicting the deformation behaviour of a structure are increasingly available, reliable prediction of failure remains still open. With SAMP (a Semi-Analytical Model for Polymers), a general and flexible plasticity model is available in LS-DYNA since version 971. Although originally developed for plastics, the plasticity formulation in SAMP is generally applicable to materials that exhibit permanent deformation, such as thermoplastics, crushable foam, soil and metals. In this paper, we present a generalized damage and failure procedure that has been implemented in SAMP and will be available in LS-DYNA soon. In particular, important effects such as triaxiality, strain rate dependency, regularization and non-proportional loading are considered in SAMP. All required physical material parameters are provided in a user-friendly tabulated way. It is shown that our formalism includes many different damage and failure models as special cases, such as the well-known formulations by Johnson-Cook, Chaboche, Lemaitre and Gurson among others. "

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Mechanical Plastics Plasticity Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


The Influence of Permanent Volumetric Deformation on the Reduction of the Load Bearing Capability of Plastic Components

"During the past years polymer materials have gained enormous importance in the automotive industry. Especially their application for interior parts to help in passenger safety load cases and their use for bumper fascias in pedestrian safety load cases have driven the demand for much more realistic finite element simulations. For such applications the material model 187 (i.e. MAT_SAMP-1) in LS-DYNA® has been developed. In the present paper the authors show how the parameters for the rather general model may be adjusted to allow for the simulation of crazing effects during plastic loading. Crazing is usually understood as inelastic deformation that exhibits permanent volumetric deformations. Hence a material model that is intended to be applied for polymer components that show crazing effects during the experimental study, should be capable to produce the correct volumetric strains during the respective finite element simulation. The paper discusses the real world effect of crazing, the ideas to capture these effect in a numerical model and exemplifies the theoretical ideas with a real world structural component finite element model."

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Automotive High Speed Testing LS-DYNA Research Papers


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


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


Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Elongational Viscosity effects in a Coat-Hanger Die

The flow in a coat-hanger die is simulated using the axisymmetric and planar elongational viscosities of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin. Elongational viscosity is found to affect the velocity distribution at the die exit. Also, the predicted pressure drop in the die changed significantly when the effect of elongational viscosity was included in the simulation. However, elongational viscosity had only a minor effect on the temperature distribution in the die. Predicted pressure drop is compared with the corresponding experimental data.

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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


Estimation of Elongational Viscosity of Polymers From Entrance Loss data Using Individual parameter Optimization

The elongational viscosity model proposed by Sarkar and Gupta (Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 2001, 20, 1473), along with the Carreau model for shear viscosity is used for a finite element simulation of the flow in a capillary rheometer. The entrance pressure loss predicted by the finite element flow simulation is matched with the corresponding experimental data to predict the parameters in the elongational viscosity model. To improve the computational efficiency, various elongational viscosity parameters are optimized individually. Estimated elongational viscosity for a Low Density Polyethylene (DOW 132i) is reported for two different temperatures.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion PolyXtrue Research Papers


Estimation of Elongational Viscosity of Polymers for Accurate Prediction of Juncture Losses in Injection Molding

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. 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.

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Rheology Plastics Extrusion Injection Molding PolyXtrue Research Papers


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


'Lego Man' - Accurate FEA of Engineering Plastics

This demonstration showing how to analyze plastic parts using finite element analysis was given by Patrick Cunningham at CAE Associates' Accurate FEA of Engineering Plastics seminar, held on October 14, 2014 in Tarrytown, NY.

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Plastics Plasticity Presentations


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring '15, Volume 21.2

Validation is Focus of DatapointLabs Technical Presentations, New Combined Loading Compression Test for Composite Materials, Matereality Software for Your Product Development Team

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Plastics Newsletters


Advances in the Measurement and Modeling of Plastics for Impact Simulations

High strain-rate properties have many applications in the simulation of automotive crash and product drop testing. These properties are difficult to measure. Previously, we described a novel inferential technique for the measurement of the properties of polycarbonate. In this paper, we demonstrate that the technique appears to work for a variety of polymers. We also show that plastics exhibit different kinds of high-strain rate behaviors

Plastics LS-DYNA


Comparison of Crash Models for Ductile Plastics

There is interest in quantifying the accuracy of different material models being used in LS-DYNA today for the modeling of plastics. In our study, we characterize two ductile, yet different materials, ABS and polypropylene for rate dependent tensile properties and use the data to develop material parameters for the material models commonly used for plastics: MAT_024 and its variants, MAT_089 and MAT_187. We then perform a falling dart impact test which produces a complex multi-axial stress state and simulate this experiment using LS-DYNA. For each material model we are able to compare simulation to actual experiment thereby obtaining a measure of fidelity of the simulation to reality. In this way, we can assess the benefits of using a particular material model for plastics simulation.

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency LS-DYNA Research Papers Validation


Using the PRF Model for Polypropylene

The purpose of this document is to describe a variety of test data that we have for a particular grade of polypropylene and demonstrate a calibration recipe that focuses on the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of the material below yield

Plastics Viscoelastic Abaqus


Challenges in the Modeling of Plastics in Computer Simulation

Finite-element analysis and injection-molding simulation are two technologies that are seeing widespread use today in the design of plastic components. Limitations exist in our ability to mathematically describe the complexity of polymer behavior to these software packages. Material models commonly used in finite-element analysis were not designed for plastics, making it difficult to correctly describe non-linear behavior and plasticity of these complex materials. Time-based viscoelastic phenomena further complicate analysis. Dealing with fiber fillers brings yet another layer of complexity. It is vital to the plastics engineer to comprehend these gaps in order to make good design decisions. Approaches to understanding and dealing with these challenges, including practical strategies for everyday use, will be discussed.

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Mechanical Plastics Blow Molding Extrusion Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Thermoforming LS-DYNA Abaqus DIGIMAT Presentations


Thermoplastic Material Testing for Use in SIGMASOFT

Thermoplastic materials are one of the largest categories of materials to be injection molded. Simulation of the injection molding process requires sophisticated and exact material properties to be measured. This presentation will discuss the testing required to characterize a material for use in SIGMASOFT, as well as the significance of material model parameters. Differences in testing methodology for amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers will be covered, along with step-by-step implementation into the software to produce a successful injection molding simulation simulation.

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Plastics Electonics/Electrical Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis SIGMASOFT Presentations


Datapoint Newsletter: Late Fall '14, Volume 20.4a

DatapointLabs Adopts Matereality for Direct Deposit of Materials Testing Deliverables, Seminar Review: Accurate FEA of Engineering Plastics

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Plastics Autodesk Inventor Newsletters


Software for Creating LS-DYNA Material Model Parameters from Test Data 

LS-DYNA software contains a wealth of material models that allow for the simulation of transient phenomena. The Matereality® CAE Modeler is a generalized pre-processor software used to convert material property data into material parameters for different material models used in CAE. In a continuation of previously presented work, we discuss the extension of the CAE Modeler software to commonly used material models beyond MAT_024. Software enhancements include advanced point picking to perform extrapolations beyond the tested data, as well as the ability to fine-tune the material models while scrutinizing the trends shown in the underlying raw data. Advanced modeling features include the ability to tune the rate dependency as well as the initial response. Additional material models that are quite complex and difficult to calibrate are supported, including those for hyperelastic and viscoelastic behavior. As before, the written material cards are directly readable into the LS-DYNA software, but now they can also be stored and catalogued in a material card library for later reuse.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Metals High Speed Testing Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Composites 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


Comments on the Testing and Management of Plastics Material Data 

Plastics appeared as design materials of choice about 30 years ago. They brought with them huge design challenges because their multi-variable, non-linear nature was not well understood by engineers trained to work in a linear elastic world. We outline a 20 year journey accompanying our customers in their efforts to understand and simulate these remarkable materials to produce the highly reliable plastic products of today. We discuss challenges related to processes such as injection molding vs. blow-molding; coping with filled plastics; the difficulties of modeling polymers for crash applications. We include our latest findings related to volumetric yield in polymers and its relationship to failure. We describe the material database technology that was created to store this kind of multi-variable data and the analytical tools created to help the CAE engineer understand and use plastics material data.

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Plastics Automotive Blow Molding High Speed Testing Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Moldflow LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS Moldex3D DIGIMAT Universal Crash Universal Molding Universal Structural PAM-CRASH Presentations


Providing an Experimental Basis in Support of FEA 

The use of CAE in design decision-making has created a need for proven simulation accuracy. The two areas where simulation touches the ground are with material data and experimental verification and validation (V&V). Precise, well designed and quantitative experiments are key to ensure that the simulation initiates with correct material behavior. Similar validation experiments are needed to verify simulation and manage the risk associated with this predictive technology.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Metals Automotive Biomedical Building Materials Consumer Products Energy and Petroleum Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Electonics/Electrical Industrial Goods CAE Vendor/Supplier Mold Maker/Designer Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Composites SIMULIA Presentations


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring '14, Volume 20.2

Material Testing and Data Management to be Showcased at Technical Meetings Globally. DatapointLabs Expands Composite Testing to Meet Industry Demand. Supporting Innovation and Ingenuity in Our Local Schools

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Plastics Electonics/Electrical LS-DYNA Newsletters


The Use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Strain Gauges to Validate Simulation 

As part of Cornell University's mechanical engineering curriculum and study of classical beam theory, an aluminium beam is deformed to a specific load. Theoretical strains are calculated at certain points along the beam using beam theory, and then verified by using strain gauges placed at these points on the beam. This experiment is then extended to simulation of the same test setup in simulation software, where strains are analyzed at the same points. Discrepancies between the simulation, theory, and strain gauge results have often plagued the test, especially when incorporating more complex beam design. Through use of digital image correlation (DIC) it is possible to pinpoint some of the problem areas in the beam analysis and provide a better understanding of the localized strains that occur at any point in the deformed beam. The use of DIC provides a full field validation of simulation data, rather than a single spot check that strain gauges can provide. This validation technique helps to eliminate error that is associated with strain gauge placement and the possibility of missing strain hot spots that can arise when analyzing complex deformations or geometries.

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Plastics Metals Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Building Materials Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Electonics/Electrical Industrial Goods CAE Vendor/Supplier Mold Maker/Designer Structural Analysis ANSYS Presentations


Validating Simulation Using Digital Image Correlation 

There is interest in quantifying the differences between simulation and real life experimentation. This kind of work establishes a baseline for more complex simulations bringing a notion of traceability to the practice of CAE. We present the use of digital image correlation as a way to capture strain fields from component testing and compare these to simulation. Factors that are important in ensuring fidelity between simulation and experiment will be discussed.

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Plastics Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Material Supplier Electonics/Electrical CAE Vendor/Supplier Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Composites SIMULIA Presentations


Applying Digital Image Correlation Methods to SAMP-1 Characterization 

SAMP-1 is a complex material model designed to capture non-Mises yield and localization behavior in plastics. To perform well, it is highly dependent on accurate post-yield material data. A number of assumptions and approximations are currently used to translate measured stress-strain data into the material parameters related to these inputs. In this paper, we look at the use of direct localized strain measurements using digital image correlation (DIC) as a way to more directly extract the required data needed for SAMP-1.

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Plastics Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Composites Research Papers


Material Parameter Calibration Services for Abaqus Non-Linear Material Models

DatapointLabs' TestPaks (material testing + model calibration + Abaqus input decks) for rate-dependent, hyperelastic, viscoelastic, NVH, and the use of Abaqus CAE Modeler to transform raw data into material cards will be presented. A representative from Idiada will present a case study explaining the use of DatapointLabs’ material data and TestPaks for simulation.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Metals High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Composites SIMULIA Presentations


Mechanical and Visco-Elastic Properties of UHMWPE for In-Vivo Applications 

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is used extensively in orthopedic applications within the human body. Components made from these materials are subject to complex loading over extended periods of time. Modeling of components used in such applications depends heavily on having material data under in-vivo conditions. We present mechanical and visco-elastic properties measured in saline at 37C. Comparisons to conventionally measured properties at room temperature are made.

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Plastics Biomedical Blow Molding Extrusion Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Moldflow Abaqus ANSYS SIGMASOFT Papers POLYFLOW Blow Molding POLYFLOW Extrusion POLYFLOW Thermoforming


Understanding and Coping with Material Modeling Limitations in FEA 

The limitations of modeling materials for simulation are discussed, including lack of clarity in material model requirements, gaps between the material data and the model to which it will be fitted, issues in obtaining pertinent properties, difficulties in parameter conversion (fitting), and preparation of input files for the software being used. Means to address these limitations are presented, including understanding the model completely, measuring the correct data with precision on the right material, selecting the best model for the data and ensuring the best fit of the model to the data, validating the model against a simple experiment, and following best practices to create an error-free input file.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Electonics/Electrical Industrial Goods Packaging Home Appliances Presentations


Behavior-based Material Model Selection and Calibration of Plastics for Crash Simulation 

Many material models are available for crash simulation. However, common models are not designed for plastics. We present best practices developed for adapting common models to plastics, as well as best testing protocols to generate clean, accurate rate-dependent data. In addition, we present a streamlined process to convert raw data to LS-DYNA material cards, and harmonized material datasets that allow the same raw data to be used for other crash and rate-dependent analysis software.

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Plastics Automotive High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS PAM-CRASH Altair RADIOSS Presentations


A Robust Methodology to Calibrate Crash Material Models for Polymers

High strain rate material modelling of polymers for use in crash and drop testing has been plagued by a number of problems. These include poor quality and noisy data, material models unsuited to polymer behaviour and unclear material model calibration guidelines. The modelling of polymers is thus a risky proposition with a highly variable success rate. In previous work, we tackled each of the above problems individually. In this paper, we summarize and then proceed to present a material modelling strategy that can be applied for a wide variety of polymers.

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Mechanical Plastics Aerospace and Defense Automotive Consumer Products Material Supplier Industrial Goods Packaging Home Appliances High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS MSC.DYTRAN PAM-CRASH Altair RADIOSS Research Papers


Datapoint Newsletter: Spring '09, Volume 15.1

DatapointLabs Featured in Technical Conferences.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Hyperelastic High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models LS-DYNA Abaqus Newsletters


Material Modeling of Soft Material for Non-linear NVH 

Abaqus’ Non-linear NVH capability permits the capture of material behavior of rubber seals and bushings, plastic parts and foam inserts which have a significant influence on the simulation. In this presentation, we discuss material calibration procedures for this application.

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Plastics Rubbers Automotive Building Materials Material Supplier Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Presentations


Simulating Plastics in Drop and Crash Tests 

If you want a crash simulation involving plastics to yield useful results, it is important to model the material behavior appropriately. The high strain rates have a significant effect on the properties, and failure can be ductile or brittle in nature, depending on a number of factors.

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Plastics Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Industrial Goods Packaging High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS MSC.DYTRAN PAM-CRASH Altair RADIOSS Research Papers


Material Modeling and Mold Analysis 

We present a perspective on material modeling as applied to mold analysis requirements. Melt-solid transitions and the case for a unified material model are discussed, along with prediction of post-filling material behavior and shrinkage, and the impact of viscous heating on flow behavior and material degradation.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Metals Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Consumer Products Energy and Petroleum Electonics/Electrical Industrial Goods CAE Vendor/Supplier Packaging Home Appliances Blow Molding Extrusion Injection Molding Nonlinear Material Models Moldflow Composites Presentations Gels Oils/Lubricants Waxes


Characterization and Modeling of Non-linear Behavior of Plastics 

A considerable amount of CAE today is devoted to the simulation of non-metallic materials, many of which exhibit non-linear behavior. However, most material models to date are still based on metals theory. This places severe restrictions on the proper description of their behavior in CAE. In this paper, we describe non-linear elastic behavior and its interrelationship with plastic behavior in plastics. Special attention is given to the differentiation between visco-elastic (recoverable) strain and plastic (non-recoverable) strain. The goal of this work is to have a material model for plastics that can describe both loading and unloading behavior accurately and provide an accurate measure of damage accumulation during complex loading operations.

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Plastics Rubbers Aerospace and Defense Automotive Biomedical Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Packaging Home Appliances Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Abaqus Research Papers


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 Aerospace and Defense Automotive Consumer Products Material Supplier Industrial Goods Packaging Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS PAM-CRASH Altair RADIOSS Research Papers


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


SAMP-1: A Semi-Analytical Model for the Simulation of Polymers

The numerical simulation of structural parts made from plastics is becoming increasingly important nowadays. The fact that almost any structural requirement can be combined in a lightweight, durable and cost effective structure is the driving force behind its widespread application. More and more structural relevant parts are being constructed and manufactured from plastics. This on the other hand drives the demand for reliable and robust methods to design these parts and to predict their structural behaviour. the key ingredients that need to be available are verified, calibrated and validated constitutive models for any family of plastic material. This holds not only true for crashworthiness applications but for any other application field.

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Plastics Plasticity Rate Dependency Yielding/Failure Analysis Automotive Nonlinear Material Models LS-DYNA


A Novel Technique to Measure Tensile Properties of Plastics at High Strain Rates

High strain-rate properties have many applications in the simulation of automotive crash and product drop testing. These properties are difficult to measure. These difficulties result from inaccuracies in extensometry at high strain rates due to extensometer slippage and background noise due to the sudden increase in stress at the start of the test. To eliminate these inaccuracies we use an inferential technique that correlates strain to extension at low strain rates and show that this can be extended to measure strain at higher strain rates

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Mechanical Plastics Rate Dependency Aerospace and Defense Automotive Consumer Products Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Packaging Home Appliances High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS MSC.DYTRAN PAM-CRASH Research Papers


Handbook of Plastics Analysis: Book Review

Assurance of quality in raw materials, control over production, and a basic understanding of criteria for performance all require a sure and complete knowledge of analytical methods for plastics. The present volume organizes the vast world of plastics analysis into a relatively compact form. A plastics engineer will find familiar territory in such subjects as rheometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and measurement of thermal properties. Polymer physicists and chemists will be at home with spectroscopic analyses, liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance. All these topics and many more are covered in twelve chapters written by an impressive array of experts drawn from industry and academia.

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Rheology Thermal Plastics Structural Analysis Book Review


Handbook for Plastics Analysis

This book covers some of the most significant techniques used in modern analytical technology to characterize plastic and composite materials.

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Plastics Rubbers Foams Composites


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


Material Models in Simulation, Part 3: New viscosity models 

We discuss developments in viscosity modeling. New models are not generalized, but are designed to predict expected trends for polymers and incorporate both Newtonian and shear-thinning behavior.

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Plastics Material Supplier Mold Maker/Designer Injection Molding Moldflow Presentations


Understanding the Role of Material Properties in Simulations, Part 2

We discuss material properties in injection molding simulations, including the definition of property requirements, identification of evaluation parameters, and the role of material properties at each stage of the injection molding process, from mold filling through cooling, post-filling and shrinkage/warpage considerations.

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Plastics Material Supplier Mold Maker/Designer Packaging Injection Molding Moldflow Moldex3D Cadmould C-MOLD Presentations


High Speed Stress Strain Material Properties as Inputs for the Simulation of Impact Situations

With the recent changes in the crashworthiness requirements for US automobiles for improved safety, design engineers are being challenged to design interior trim systems comprised of polymeric materials to meet these new impact requirements. Impact analysis programs are being used increasingly by designers to gain an insight into the final part performance during the design stage. Material models play a crucial role in these design simulations by representing the response of the material to an applied stimulus. In this work, we seek to develop novel test methods to generate high speed stress-strain properties of plastics, which can be used as input to structural analysis programs...

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Plastics Metals Aerospace and Defense Material Supplier Toys/Sporting Goods Packaging Home Appliances High Speed Testing Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Thermoforming LS-DYNA Abaqus ANSYS MSC.DYTRAN PAM-CRASH Research Papers


Principles of Polymer Engineering, 2nd Edition: Book Review

This book presents a concise and easily readable introduction to polymer behavior for design and production engineers. It seeks to explain the behavior of plastics and rubber using a materials science framework, by relating observed phenomena to changes in morphological and molecular structure. This presents a powerful way for engineers to grasp the underlying factors that make polymers the complex materials that they are. The reader is encouraged to step away from using linear-elastic metals concepts when designing with plastics. The pitfalls of such simplifications are pointed out and guidelines are presented to aid the designer in adopting a non-linear approach.

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Plastics Rubbers Nonlinear Material Models Book Review


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


Injection Molding Handbook: Book Review

This book, edited by the Wisconsin based team of Osswald, Turng and Gramman, represents a compilation of work by several well known authors and brings together a body of knowledge that will be appreciated by injection molding professionals and students of plastics processing.

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Plastics Injection Molding Book Review


Structural Analysis of Thermoplastic Components: Book Review

The primary purpose of this book is to describe the application of modern engineering analysis techniques to the design of components fabricated from thermoplastic materials. The book, the first of its kind to address the unique behavioral characteristics of thermoplastics and their impact on finite element analysis (FEA), points out the need for plastics designers to move on to nonlinear analysis in order to truly simulate the behavior of plastic parts. According to the authors, the easy availability of high speed computing and efficient analysis codes means that it is no longer necessary nor cost-effective to restrict oneself to simple linear analyses.

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Plastics Nonlinear Material Models Structural Analysis Thermoforming Book Review