Each material is modelled as a small cubic lattice of point masses connected by springs (bonds). Stretching the lattice strains every bond; each material family has its own stiffness, yield strain and brittleness which set how the springs respond.
sigma = E * epsilon (elastic region, Hooke's law)
E_eff = E0 * (1 - alpha*(T-293)) (thermal softening)
bond breaks when epsilon_bond > epsilon_fail(material)
- Material buttons - switch stiffness E, yield strain and brittleness (polymer: low E, high stretch before failure; ceramic: high E, brittle, fails suddenly; composite: high E with staged fibre failure; metal: moderate E with a long ductile plateau).
- Applied strain - pulls the lattice's end plane apart, directly setting the strain each bond carries.
- Loading rate - how fast the strain ramps toward the slider target, revealing rate-dependent bond snapping.
- Temperature - softens the effective modulus and lowers the failure strain, mimicking thermal weakening.
Real-world application: this is the same logic used in FEA-lite material screening - picking the right material family (polymer seal, ceramic coating, composite spar, metal bracket) starts with knowing its stress-strain envelope and thermal derating.