Exercise 23: Model hybrid materials with the Sandwich Panels model

Hybrid materials and structures combine the benefits of two or more materials to produce new materials that exhibit unique combinations of properties.

For example, both composite materials and sandwich panels are commonly used to create strong, lightweight structures.

  1. You will need to use an advanced Level 3 database for this exercise.
    1. Change the database to Level 3 Polymer.
  2. Plot Young’s modulus (E) against Density (ρ) using the MaterialUniverse: All bulk materials subset
    As in Exercise 6: Create a bubble chart.
  3. Use the Sandwich Panels model to create synthesized records for a family of hybrid materials
    1. Click Synthesizer on the toolbar (or click Tools > Synthesizer on the menu bar).
    2. Select the Sandwich Panels – Balanced model.
  4. Set the Source Record values
    Face-sheet
    Aluminum, 6061, T6 (wrought)
    Core
    Polymethacrylimide foam (rigid, 0.200)

    Click Browse and locate the records in the browse tree.

  5. Keep the default values for Model Variables and Model Parameters, and set the following Record Naming values:
    Face-sheet
    Al
    Core
    Rohacell
  6. Create the synthesized records
    1. Click Create and then Finish. The new synthesized records are shown in the Results list and on the Chart Stage.
    Note: Click the blue Help icon or press F1 in the Synthesizer tool dialog to view further information about the current model type, including details of the calculations used.
  7. Plot an Index line corresponding to a lightweight, stiff panel in bending: E1/3/ρ
    1. Click Index and display lines, enter a slope value of 3, and select maximize the index. Click the plot area to place the index line, then click and drag to change its position.
  8. Add labels to the source records and some of the synthesized records
    1. You can click individual records on the chart and drag to place a label.
    2. You can also add labels from the Results list: select one or more records in the list, right-click and select Label on the shortcut menu, then drag the labels where you want them on the chart.
    3. Click Highlight synthesized records to help you identify the synthesized records on the chart.
    4. Use the Zoom controls and to zoom in to the area of interest on the chart.
  9. Navigate to your synthesized records in the Browse panel

    Synthesized records appear on the browse tree under My Records and may be edited or deleted in a similar way to User Defined records.

  10. Delete the Chart Stage