Dr. Jorgen Bergstrom discussed “Advanced Material Models for Rubbers, Thermoplastics, and Composites” as a keynote speaker at the NAFEMS Nordic Seminar: Improving Simulation Prediction by Using Advanced Material Models.
The mechanical response of rubbers, thermoplastics, and composites can be highly non-linear, and the experimentally observed stress-strain response typically depends on the applied history of strain-rate and temperature. Dr. Bergstrom addressed the challenges in representing these behaviors using common hyperelastic or plasticity-based material models. He reviewed how different classes of material models, including advanced modular/multi-network models, can be used to represent the response of rubbers, thermoplastics, and composite materials, noting that each class requires a different set of experimental tests for identifying the optimal set of material parameters and for validating the final calibrated material model. Dr. Bergstrom also demonstrated the accuracy of the different models by comparing model predictions to experimental data. Learn more about this event, which took place April 2-3, 2019 in Lund, Sweden.