Abstract
The operating temperature of IP(Instrument panel) of vehicles usually ranges from under freezing temperature to over boiling temperature. The varying temperature induces thermal expansion of IP. Coupled with constraint condition, thermal expansion causes thermal deformation, which sometimes turns into unwanted permanent deformation. In this study, non-linear finite element method has been introduced to study the formation behavior of IP in thermal cycle test. The result of material-non-linearity analysis where creep and plasticity have been taken into account has been compared with the result of material-linear analysis. The sag test also has been simulated, consequently the effect of gravity acceleration on the deformed geometry of IP has been investigated.