Material Selection Based on Performance [chapter]

Eric R. Larson
2015 Thermoplastic Material Selection  
Material selection is a difficult task. Regardless of whether the material in question is wood, metal, stone, or plastic, selecting the proper material for a given application is a complex process. Before one even begins thinking about the materials, one must consider the requirements of the manufacturing processes involved, cost targets (and constraints), environmental concerns (in-use and post use), regulatory agency requirements, and often cultural and political considerations as well. Then,
more » ... as one begins to evaluate materials, one must consider chemical families, grades, versions, property data (and/or the lack thereof), testing and verification, agency approvals, sourcing and supply chain issues, and proper processing. Sadly, many engineers and designers short circuit the selection process by jumping immediately into property data, combing databases and material data sheets to find the highest value of one specific property in order to determine the best material for the application. However, material selection is not about finding the "best" possible material for an application. Rather, it is about finding one or more suitable materials that-in combination with an effective design, proper processing, and eventual integration into a final system-result in a product that meets its intended use and satisfies (and hopefully delights) the needs of the end user. Far too often, in our quest to find the best material, we often forget that the real goal is to make the best possible product. The ultimate goal of effective material selection is to optimize the performance of the product itself. While this may seem like a trivial statement, it is an important one.
doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-31299-8.00005-2 fatcat:pfj5ysvyxfayrify5itd5mtvzu