Controlled Thermal Expansion model parameters
The Controlled Thermal Expansion model predicts some of the properties exhibited by a novel type of lattice structure which uses two materials in a specific geometry to control the thermal expansion coefficient.
These lattices are still in the developmental stage and not commercially available. The Controlled Thermal Expansion model is a tool to investigate the theory and predict how this type of lattice may behave. Previous research work has been carried out on 2D lattices, however this model deals with 3D lattices.
The attraction of these lattices is that through optimization of the geometry (assuming suitable lattice materials have been chosen), the coefficient of thermal expansion can be controlled (it can be made zero or even negative). This is while remaining structurally robust, as they are stretch dominated lattices.
| Section | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Source Records | Material 1 | The material used in the outer lattice. |
| Material 2 | The material used in the inner lattice. | |
|
Note: 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).
|
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| Model Variables | Offset angle (θ) | The Offset angle (θ) of the outer lattice.You can enter a single value, list, or range. Specifying a list or range enables a family of foams or lattices to be evaluated. |
| Number of values | When a range is specified, the number of relative densities must also be specified | |
| Model Parameters | Size of the unit cell (L) | The Size of the unit cell (L) of the outer lattice. |
| Strut diameter for Material 1 | The diameter of the beams of the outer lattice. | |
| Strut diameter for Material 2 | The diameter of the beams of the inner lattice. | |
| Target CTE (α) | Optional. 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 | Material 1 | The abbreviated name. For example, if your source record is Aluminum, type Al. This is used to create the record names for the new materials. |
| Material 2 | The abbreviated name. For example, if your source record is Aluminum, type Al. This is used to create the record names for the new materials. | |
