Plastics are assigned to different families, based on various properties, such as crystallinity, reaction to heat and their chemical composition.
The important material characteristics to consider when selecting a thermoplastic material grade are described.
Material crystallinity is the process whereby liquid material solidifies into a transparent crystal-like state.
Semi-crystalline materials have both crystalline and amorphous regions.
Cross-linking is a chemical process in which chemical bonds form among molecules of thermosetting materials, resulting in an interconnected network. This cross-linking process is the principal difference between thermoplastics and thermosets.
Specific analyses use different material properties in their calculations. The material properties that are required or optional for an analysis are listed.
Users have the option to consider the environmental aspects of the materials being used.
Because of the importance of quality material data on analysis accuracy, Autodesk Moldflow Plastics Labs have developed Material Quality Indicators.