MULTISCALING-BASED INTEGRATED COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS ENGINEERING: FROM ACADEMIA TO INDUSTRY

Abstract

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) represents a paradigm shift in predictive engineering design. ICME provides robust, efficient, and optimized linkage between four pillars: (i) manufacturing process, (ii) the material's microstructure, (iii) the material's engineering properties, and (iv) final part performance. The multiscale approach is at the core of ICME and enables the linking of a material's response across different length scales. ICME emphasizes and nurtures collaboration and cross-fertilization in science, software, and industry. The capabilities of ICME are illustrated through several applications based on the Digimat software platform, and covering material engineering, virtual testing, process engineering, and structural engineering, for various material systems (short fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers, continuous fiber reinforced thermoset polymers, metals) and manufacturing processes (injection molding, curing, additive manufacturing). The examples show that ICME has achieved a maturity level enabling it to solve problems which were out of reach only a decade ago. It can be used fruitfully in industry to innovate and maximize part performance while reducing cost and lead time. An ecosystem is proposed for the industrial deployment of ICME.