Using Controlled Thermal Expansion model

Instructions for using the Synthesizer tool's Controlled Thermal Expansion model.

  • Click Synthesizer on the main toolbar and under Controlled Thermal Expansion, click Dual material lattice.
Source records
  • Material 1 is used for the outer lattice; Material 2 is used for the inner lattice.
  • To select a lattice Material, click Browse. This displays the full MaterialUniverse tree for the active database. Browse the tree, highlight the material of interest and click OK.
  • If a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is required then it is advisable to use a material with a lower CTE for the outer lattice (Material 1), and a material with a higher CTE for the inner lattice (Material 2).
Model variables
  • Specify the Offset angle (θ) of the outer lattice. This can be entered as either:
    • A single value
    • A list, with each number separated with a semi-colon (for example, 1; 3; 6; 10; 15)
    • A range (for example, 1-15)
  • When a range is specified, the number of relative densities must also be specified in the Number of values box.
  • Specifying a list or range enables a family of foams or lattices to be evaluated.
Model parameters
  • Specify the geometry of the lattice.
  • Enter the Size of the unit cell (L) of the outer lattice.
  • Enter a Strut diameter for Material 1 (the diameter of the beams of the outer lattice).
  • Enter a Strut diameter for Material 2 (the diameter of the beams of the inner lattice).
  • The units are shown to the right of the boxes.
  • You can also specify a Target CTE (α) they wish the lattice to achieve. If this is possible with the materials chosen, then the model returns the optimum offset angle as a result in the notes field at the bottom of the datasheet.
Record naming
  • In the Material boxes, type the abbreviated name. For example, if your source record is Aluminum, type Al. These are used to create the record names for the new lattice.
    Values quoted on datasheet are for equivalent properties. The Notes section records information on constituent materials and lattice geometry. Cannot be specified in selection projects. If possible for the geometry and materials, the model calculates the optimum offset angle for a given CTE and records it in the Notes.