Summary

This module contains a database of material properties that can be accessed by other ETBX modules. The database contains the following material properties:

• Elastic Modulus
• Shear Modulus
• Poisson's Ratio
• Mass Density
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
• Thermal Conductivity Coefficient
• Specific Heat

Input

The Material Properties module main input form is shown in Figure 1. Select a material name at the left side of the form. The data fields on the right will be updated automatically to display the appropriate material properties.

Materials data is available from two file sources: the default ETBX materials library and a user-defined library. The data in the ETBX materials library is protected and cannot be modified or deleted using the Material Properties module. The User library has no such restrictions. The Material Properties module provides tools for adding, modifying, and removing materials data from User library.

The material list may be filtered so that it only displays the contents of the ETBX materials library or the User library. To do so, click on the Filter drop-down menu below the list and select the library that you want displayed.

Figure 1: Material Properties module input form.

Adding Materials

New materials can be added to the User library. Click the Add button to open the Material Properties dialog shown in Figure 2. The input fields will be pre-propulated with data for the currently selected material. You can edit the existing data, or click the Clear button to clear all input fields and enter new data. Click the Save button to store the new material data in the database.

Figure 2. Material Properties dialog

Material names used by the ETBX materials library are protected. If the name of the new material is already present in the ETBX materials library, you will be prompted to change the name as shown in Figure 3. If the material name is already present in the User materials library, you will be asked if you want to overwrite the existing material data entry as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3. Error dialog for material names present in ETBX library

Figure 4. Confirmation dialog for material names present in User library

Importing Materials

Click on the Import button to display the Open File dialog shown in Figure 5 . Locate and select the ETBX material library file containing the data that you wish to import and then click on the Open button.

Figure 5. Material library file dialog

The Import Material Data window shown in Figure 6 will open with a list of materials contained in the data file. Select the materials that you wish to import by placing a checkmark next to their names. Click the OK button to import the new materials into the database.

Figure 6. Import dialog

Material names must be unique. If the name of an imported material is already present in the database, you will be prompted to change the name as shown in Figure 7. Click the Cancel button to stop the import process. No other material data will be imported if the Cancel option is selected.

Figure 7. Material names must be unique

Units

ETBX supports many common systems of engineering units. In the Material Properties module, the unit system can be changed by clicking on the Units button . The Change Units dialog shown in Figure 8 will open. Select the desired unit system and click the OK button.

Figure 8. Change Units dialog

Output

Click on the Calculate button to display properties for the selected material in the standard ETBX results report format shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9. Material properties results report

References

1. Avallone, E. A., and Baumeister III, T., Editors (1996) Mark's Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers,  10th Edition, McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing.
2. Callister, W. D. (2000) Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering: An Interactive e .Text, 5th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3. Tapley B.D., and Poston T.R., Editors (1990) Eshbach's Handbook of Engineering Fundamentals, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
4. Aluminum Design Manual, 2000 Edition, The Aluminum Association, NY.
5. Manual of Steel Construction, 9th Edition, American Institute of Steel Construction.