Multi‐Criteria Material Selection in Engineering Design

Abstract

Material selection in real‐world problems normally entails considering several, usually conflicting, design criteria/objectives. Thus, a designer has to strike a balance between these objectives to find the best compromise solution for the particular application. A novel design support tool, the exchange constant chart, has been developed in order to assist designers selecting materials in such multi‐criteria situations. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the use of this tool.