Defining Temperature-Dependent Properties

The electromagnetic behavior of materials can vary due to changes in the material temperature. To account for the dependence of material properties on temperature, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides specific methods.

In general, the available methods depend on the magnetic vector potential model in use. For more information, see:

To include thermal effects in the simulation:

In the relevant physics continuum, add a temperature model. You can choose between:
- a physics model that solves for temperature (for example, the Segregated Fluid Temperature model for fluids or the Segregated Solid Energy model for solids).
- a physics model that allows you to prescribe the temperature field (for example, the Specified Fluid Isothermal model for fluids or the Specified Temperature model for solids). The Specified Temperature model requires either the Finite Element Magnetic Vector Potential model or the Transverse Magnetic Potential model.
Specify the required thermal settings. When prescribing temperature, define the temperature of the relevant region, as required by the temperature model in use.

Materials from the Electromagnetic material database can contain predefined temperature-dependent values, which are automatically imported in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ as tables.

To define the magnetic permeability

μ

as a function of temperature:

Expand the relevant [physics continuum] > Models > [Material Model] > [Material] > Material Properties node.
Select the Magnetic Permeability node and define $μ$ using one of the following methods:
- For fluids and solids with a linear $B$ - $H$ curve, define $μ$ with the Field Function method, using a function of temperature.
- For nonlinear solids (ferromagnetic and paramagnetic materials), define $μ$ using the Table (B,H) method (see Defining the Magnetic Permeability Using a B-H Curve). To account for the temperature dependence, also define the magnetic susceptibility temperature factor (see Defining the Magnetic Susceptibility Temperature Factor).
- For permanent magnets, define $μ$ using either the Field Function, Table (T), or Alpha-Beta Scaling methods. For more information on these methods, see Using Table(T), Using Polynomial in T, and Alpha-Beta Scaling Model Reference. For information on other properties available for permanent magnets, see Modeling Permanent Magnets.

To define the electrical conductivity

σ

as a function of temperature:

Select the Material Properties > Electrical Conductivity node and set Method to either Field Function, Polynomial in T, Resistivity Polynomial (T), or Table (T).
Specify the value of $σ$ as required by the selected method.
For more information, see Using Table(T) and Using Polynomial in T.