Materialval

Materialval is a term used in design, engineering, and construction to describe the process of selecting materials for a product or project. The choice is guided by performance requirements, manufacturing considerations, cost, availability, and environmental impact, and it can influence durability, weight, safety, and aesthetics.

The term derives from the combination of “material” and “val” (choice) in Scandinavian languages and is widely used in architecture, building, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial design. In practice, materialval is integrated into product development and procurement to ensure materials meet technical and sustainability goals.

The process typically starts with defining the function and reliability criteria, followed by compiling viable material options. Options are evaluated against criteria such as mechanical properties, density, corrosion resistance, thermal behavior, cost, and durability. Life cycle considerations are incorporated through methods like life cycle assessment or environmental product declarations, along with supply risk and end-of-life disposal or recyclability. A preferred material is selected and validated through prototypes, testing, or simulations before final approval and procurement.

Tools and methods commonly used include material databanks, multi-criteria decision analysis, decision matrices, sustainability scoring, and numerical simulations such as finite element analysis. Standards and regulations relevant to the material class may also shape the decision.

Outcomes aim to balance performance, cost, and sustainability, while challenges may include data gaps, long lead times, and the need to trade off competing priorities such as weight, strength, and environmental criteria.

See also: Material selection, Life cycle assessment, Sustainable design, Material science.