Multi-objective optimization in material design and selection

The development or selection of a material to meet given design requirements generally requires that a compromise be struck between several, usually conflicting, objectives. The ways in which multiobjective optimization methods can be adapted to address this problem are explored. It is found that trade-off surfaces give a way of visualizing the alternative compromises, and that value functions (or "ultimate" functions) identify the part of the surface on which optimal solutions lie. The method is illustrated with examples. (C) 2000 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.