PolyUMod Software Library

Advanced Material Models for Finite Element Modeling of Engineering Polymers and Biomaterials

Solving Difficult Polymer Design Problems

Veryst Engineering now offers the PolyUMod™ library of user-material models for finite element modeling of polymers and biomaterials. Commercial finite element codes lack the material models needed to simulate accurately many types of polymers.  Veryst Engineering has developed a library of general purpose material models that cover virtually all polymer systems, including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, foams, filled plastics, and biomaterials. Specific models also have been developed for particular formulations such as fluoropolymers and UHMWPE.

Veryst's subroutines provide the FE user advanced material models as if they were built into the FE program. Engineers can perform very accurate FE simulations without becoming an expert in material model software development. A large part of the difficult development work has already been done! The Veryst user-material model library is available for all FE element programs that support external user-material subroutines. Most major FE programs have this capability, for example, SIMULIA Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA, and MSC.MARC. We can also implement some of our advanced material models in COMSOL Multiphysics.

The PolyUMod™ library is available in four different subroutine packages:
      •  Thermoplastics
      •  Thermosets
      •  Elastomers
      •  Foams

To Purchase

To purchase items in the PolyUMod™ Library, or to learn how Veryst can develop customized material subroutines for specific polymers on a contract basis, please contact jbergstrom@veryst.com.

Failure Modeling

Predicting failure and safety factors is an important part of many finite element studies. Each of the material models in the PolyUMod library can be combined with a failure model to facilitate these studies. The following failure models are currently available:

     1. Failure at a critical chain strain
     2. Failure at a critical Mises strain
     3. Failure at a critical max principal strain
     4. Failure at a critical Mises stress
     5. Failure at a critical max principal stress

In addition, the Parallel Network Model also supports a selection of more advanced anisotropic and damage-based failure models.

Extracting Material Model Parameters

The material model library includes the MCalibration™ parameter extraction software, which makes it easy to calibrate the material models based on available material data. The calibration software allows the user to analyze a set of experimental data files in order to determine the optimal model parameters.

To Use One of the Veryst PolyUMod Libraries

• Install the shared library or custom executable on the simulation computer.

• Specify the appropriate material parameters in the pre-processor or the input file. The required material parameters can be obtained from the MCalibration™ software.

• Run the FE simulation as usual. The finite element simulations will then automatically use the specific Veryst user-material model library as if it were a built-in feature.

A User's Manual is provided with each polymer library that details model installation and usage.  

Examples Illustrating the Use of the PolyUMod Library of Material Models
Plastic Clip Failure
Bioabsorbable Cornonary Stent Design
Total Knee Replacement
Tire Deformation
Elastomer Foam Vibration Damper