Center for Composite Materials
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Workflow / 03.1 Materials

Start with the data
behind the material.

Build reusable records for constituents, polymer composites, metal matrix composites and ceramic matrix composites. Keep each property’s units, temperature and evidence with the material so you can check what you are putting into the model.

Connected model layer

Materials model map

Select a block to explore its theory or workflow. Enlarge master map ↗ · Explore all stages

Materials layer of the original master workflow
Browse model links as a list

Metal and ceramic material classes

The reusable library includes the following source-aware reference records. Open Materials in Workbench to inspect a card and its missing inputs.

Metal Matrix Composites · 3 examples
Ceramic Matrix Composites · 3 examples
Ceramics · 3 examples

Manufacturer typical values retain their grade and conditions. Missing directional CMC elasticity remains blank. Published flexural modulus and interlaminar shear values remain test data rather than replacements for tensile or in-plane allowables. No calibrated metal plasticity or ceramic impact damage model is assigned.

Monolithic ceramic properties do not automatically describe porous matrices or ceramic fibers. Polymer cure, crystallization and the polymer-matrix scopes of D7136, D6264 and D7137 require compatible materials.

Workbench exercise preview

02.10 · Three-point bending: span and stiffness

Level 3
IntermediateEst. 25 min
Open this exercise in Workbench ↗Read the full exercise walkthrough →

Connected study preview, not a live calculation. Edit inputs and inspect results in Workbench.

Enlarge workflow ↗
02.10 · Three-point bending: span and stiffness · Fixed layout with all supplied blocks · not solved results
About this workflow view

All blocks keep the CREATE / DISCOVER / SIMULATE positions, with Equipment below Geometry; unused records remain disconnected. This changes the view only, not the exercise records. The diagram shows the setup, not solved results.

∑ Used models & submodels

Only models assigned to records used by this exercise are listed here. The full-layout option preserves the supplied starter records; no Workbench records are changed.

Euler–Bernoulli beam · Linear static · ASTM D7264 · Three-point flexure · Procedure A load

Beam bending uses effective laminate axial stiffness, the linked section geometry, support span and applied loading. Euler–Bernoulli deflection excludes transverse shear deformation, roller contact and indentation. Ply stress recovery for rectangular laminate coupons is separate from section-level beam stress recovery.

∑ Theory & assumptions
Data travelling between blocks

Materials → Laminates
Stored ply stiffness, strength, density and expansion properties.

Virtual Test → Simulation
SIMULATION selects this case and its analysis model; the case owns its applicable cycle and input references.

Laminates → Virtual Test
Ply angles and thicknesses, stiffness, mass and ply properties.

Geometry → Virtual Test
Part shape and dimensions, thickness or section definition, and model-specific geometric inputs. Each selected case consumes only the dimensions its model supports.

Equipment → Virtual Test
Linked testing machine and fixture: load capacities, fixture type, specimen-fit and support-span limits, and mounted setup dimensions. The selected test case supplies the applied loading; hardware limits are checked against its setup.

Models → Virtual Test
Applied model assignment: Euler–Bernoulli beam · Linear static. Model parameters and formulation are used by Virtual Test.

Inspect specimen width, laminate thickness, support span and central force.

Models: Euler–Bernoulli beam · ASTM D7264-26-based

Study scope and limitations

Procedure A teaching setup. Transverse shear deformation, roller contact and indentation are excluded.

Model availability depends on your license. The preview does not run or save a calculation.

03.1 / Workflow focus

What connects to the next step
01

Keep the source with the property

Keep elastic, strength, density and transport data with their units, sources and calibration basis.

02

Matrix and constituent classes

Metal Matrix Composites and Ceramic Matrix Composites each include three example systems. Ceramics contains three constituent examples. Material type controls which property inputs and compatible models are available; a class label does not supply missing properties.

03

Material models

Assign calibrated cure, crystallization, modulus or transport models through the material record. A model sitting in the tree does not contribute until it is linked.

04

Measured or predicted plies

A laminate ply can use a stored material or linked Micro recipe. Check the resolved properties before selecting the structural study.

05

Data handoff

Materials feed Micro and the linked laminate. Compatible transport studies evaluate the selected material laws; not every structural study includes processing.

Build this workflow in Workbench: select records and connect the interactive Blocks →

Connected model layer

Materials · released model connections

Select a model family to follow its inputs, results, theory and exercise. All model families ↗

Follow the connections

Heat, moisture & manufacturing

Inputs

Material laws & boundary cycles

Calibrated kinetics, modulus or transport laws and material assignment

Choose a model family

Transport & reaction

Results / handoff

History & compatible process fields

Material laws consumed by compatible Micro or transport calculations

Representative exercise: this map shows its supplied records and active connections, not every possible configuration of the model family.

Enlarge workflow ↗
Cure, crystallization & material transport · Fixed layout with all supplied blocks · not solved results
About this workflow view

All blocks keep the CREATE / DISCOVER / SIMULATE positions, with Equipment below Geometry; unused records remain disconnected. This changes the view only, not the exercise records. The diagram shows the setup, not solved results.

Cure, crystallization & material transport

Independent model records can be linked together through material inputs. A saved model must be assigned to a material before it contributes to a simulation.

Model choices and Workbench location

Models → material-model folders · assigned through Materials

  • Kamal–Sourour autocatalytic
  • Kamal–Sourour with diffusion control
  • Nth-order Arrhenius
  • CHILE (degree of cure)
  • UV intensity-dependent cure
  • Nakamura–Avrami
  • Temperature-dependent tabular
  • Temperature-dependent thermal properties
  • Arrhenius polymer thermal degradation
  • 1D Fickian diffusion
Next workflow page03.2 Micromechanics