What is the Difference Between Orthotropic and Anisotropic?

Orthotropic and anisotropic materials are both subsets of anisotropic materials, but they have different types of symmetry and directional dependencies. Here are the key differences between orthotropic and anisotropic materials:

• Orthotropic materials have properties that are unique and independent in three mutually perpendicular directions. They possess three planes of symmetry, with each axis having twofold rotational symmetry. An example of an orthotropic material is wood, where the mechanical properties are described in the longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions.
• Anisotropic materials show different results when similar stimuli are applied in different directions. Their properties are direction-dependent, and they can exhibit double refraction and a refractive index greater than one. In contrast to orthotropic materials, anisotropic materials do not have any preferred directions of strength that are mutually perpendicular.

In summary, both orthotropic and anisotropic materials have properties that depend on the direction in which they are measured, but orthotropic materials have three unique directions, while anisotropic materials have properties that vary continuously with direction.

Comparative Table: Orthotropic vs Anisotropic

Here is a table comparing orthotropic and anisotropic materials:

Orthotropic materials have unique properties in three mutually perpendicular directions, while anisotropic materials have direction-dependent properties.