Material selection

As a materials selection is called a summary of all steps in the design process of a component, which serve an all aspects ( structural requirements, functionality, visual appearance, corrosion resistance, etc. ) select suitable material from which the component is finally made ​​.

The basis for each selection of a material to material standards (eg DIN standards) and material data sheets (usually by the manufacturer or by certifying bodies ), which can be further restricted by customer specifications. The selection is now usefully about material databases.

Economic Aspects

Although factors such as structural requirements, functionality, or corrosion resistance are objectively more important, they must now often lag behind the optical phenomenon, as this is very important for marketing. Also the cost is often a reason for a limited suitable material is selected. In this context, the concept of acountancy induced corrosion ( " caused by the corrosion Accounting " ) has developed, for example, that points out that later corrosion damage occurs during operation, the selection at a more expensive material could have been avoided. Here the question is about the relationship between acquisition and maintenance costs, and life- cycle costs, so called " life - cycle costs." Especially in the field of corrosion, but also with other factors, the question of costs is an important point because, for example in steels is better suited is often associated with a higher content of alloying elements, what's with today's commodity prices has tremendous impact on the costs.

Technical aspects

The most suitable from a technical point material is the one that has the best combination of properties. Back to top of the possible component costs are almost no limits to technical aspects. However, the aim of the developer must it be at the lowest cost possible to design a high-quality component. In this case, the availability of materials must be considered. If not available, a material, a low price does not help. In the modern economy, the technical aspects are mostly secondary. The economic, often short-term oriented aspects are usually in the foreground, with the result that often a lower purchase price is more important than life.