Abstract
A review with 8 refs. Materials and manufd. goods are throughout their whole life cycle in close interaction with surrounding and environment. These interactions include the environmental factors on the material and the effects of the material on the environment. The first point dets. and influences the function and life time of the material, and the second the quality of the environment. Such interactions are tested and valued with environmental simulation techniques. This simulation is not only a description of the process, but stands for an area of its own and its tech. conversion. The basis of the environmental simulation is the completely linked way of research, which relates to the life cycle. In each phase of the life cycle are the occurred environmental connections written down and a life cycle profile is created.