Author(s)

IKUO TANABE, PAULO DA SILVA

Abstract

In recent years, the demand for products of high quality, with hybrid properties, multifunctional, low cost and which is environmentally-friendly has been rapidly increasing. Here, several optimization technologies are currently being used to address these issues. Particularly, topology optimization technology is considered useful in the manufacturing field due to the high quality, high reliability and safety that it offers. However, it has been observed that there is a lack of proper material optimization techniques in the technology development process. There are hundreds of materials used in the industrial field but, surprisingly, there is a minimal amount of research regarding material property optimization for innovative developments. Thus, the present research, through a previously developed software, defined a material optimization technology for innovation. This technology relied on a software that creates new materials with hybrid properties, a hybrid materials manufacturing method, and an algorithm for material optimization. The material optimization technology was then evaluated. It is concluded from the results that: (1) the expanded proposed software was suitable for calculating the Young’s modulus, density, coefficient of linear expansion, specific heat and thermal conductivity for several properties; and (2) the material optimization technology was effective for the development of innovative products with defined functions or properties.

Keywords

material optimization, new material, hybrid property, three-dimensional, functionally gradient material