Development of Design Analysis Methods for New Materials,
Abstract
Polymers and composites have some mechanical characteristics which are significantly different from those of familiar metallic materials. Consequently, design analysts may have less confidence in these newer materials and in their own ability to design with them. Thus, material selection may be confined to familiar materials, or components may be overdesigned, or failures may occur in service due to faulty design. Furthermore, available statistics on the various materials classes are often presented to favour a particular bias, and this complicates the assessment of relative merits and adds on to the confusion. Essentially, the design analyst requires relevant and credible design data, together with valid calculation methods for predicting and optimizing component performance. These methods may involve design formulae or design charts, and the growing use of computer-aided design provides an opportunity for polymers and composites to be handled on an equal basis with other materials. This paper examines these factors in the motor vehicle context, identifies present and future needs, surveys the current state of the art, and indicates some relevant recent and ongoing research work. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA141963
Entities
People
- F. J. Lockett
Organizations
- National Physical Laboratory