Specifying material properties accurately

Choosing the right material is key to producing good results. You also can create studies that simulate the differences in materials. For more information, see Using materials in studies.

• Material type

  Material type is required for a study to be solved. A material can be predefined in a part or sheet metal model, or selected from the Materials list on the ribbon when the study is created. The material specified in part and sheet metal models is applied automatically in the assembly model.

• Material thickness

  If the material thickness (or gage) is defined in a sheet metal model or assembly model, then this thickness is applied automatically to the simulation study. Alternatively, you can change the study material or thickness.

• Assembly connector material

  Materials cannot be selected or modified from the assembly model. However, when you simulate bolt and fastener connections in the FEA model using the Bolt command, you can specify a different material for the fastener than is used by the part bodies.

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