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Engineering Material Properties Reference

Sortable reference table of 33+ materials — steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, titanium, nickel, polymers, ceramics. Properties: ρ, E, σy, σUTS, α, k, cp, Tm.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedPublished Updated

This free online engineering material properties reference provides instant results with no signup required. All calculations run directly in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Supports both metric (SI) and imperial units with built-in unit selection dropdowns on every input field, so you can work in whatever units your problem provides. Designed for engineering students and professionals working through coursework, design projects, or quick reference calculations.

Engineering Material Properties Reference

Mechanical and thermal properties of 33+ engineering materials. Click numeric column headers to sort.

34 materials shown

MaterialCategoryρ (kg/m³)E (GPa)σ_y (MPa)σ_UTS (MPa)ε_f (%)α (×10⁻⁶/°C)k (W/m·K)cp (J/kg·K)T_m (°C)
Carbon Steel 1020Steel7,8702002103803511.751.94861520
Carbon Steel 1040Steel7,8702003556202811.350.74861510
Carbon Steel 1045Steel7,8702003105653011.749.84861510
Carbon Steel 4140 (HT)Steel7,85020065510201512.342.64731500
Stainless Steel 304Steel8,0001932155057017.316.25001450
Stainless Steel 316Steel8,000193205515601616.35001390
Stainless Steel 17-4 PHSteel7,780197117013101010.818.34601400
Tool Steel D2Steel7,70021018602100210.7204601420
Cast Iron (Gray)Steel7,2001002000.510.8465001250
Cast Iron (Ductile)Steel7,1001693104141811365031175
Aluminum 1100-H14Aluminum2,71069110124923.6222904655
Aluminum 2024-T3Aluminum2,780733454831823.4121875640
Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum2,700692763101223.6167896660
Aluminum 7075-T6Aluminum2,810725035721123.4130960635
Aluminum 356-T6 (Cast)Aluminum2,68572164228322151963610
Copper C11000 (ETP)Copper8,9401177022045173913851085
Brass C26000 (70/30)Copper8,5301101253406819.9120375940
Bronze C51000 (Ph-Br)Copper8,8001101403406417.8693801050
Beryllium Copper C17200Copper8,25012811001310317.1105418930
Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5Titanium4,430114880950148.66.75261660
Ti CP Grade 2Titanium4,510105275345208.616.45201670
Nickel 200Nickel8,9082041484624713.370.24561455
Inconel 718Nickel8,19020010341241121311.44351336
Hastelloy C-276Nickel8,8902052836906211.210.24271370
Magnesium AZ31BMagnesium1,770452202901526961024630
HDPEPolymer9601.126336001200.491900130
Nylon 6/6 (PA66)Polymer1,1402.9558360800.251700260
PEEKPolymer1,3203.69110050470.251340343
Polycarbonate (PC)Polymer1,2002.46265110680.21260267
ABSPolymer1,0502.345405900.171400105
Alumina Al₂O₃Ceramic3,90038040007.4307752054
Silicon Carbide (SiC)Ceramic3,210410400041207502830
Soda-Lime GlassCeramic2,5007250091750730
Tungsten Carbide (WC)Ceramic15,800550140005.2882002870

Ashby Map: Young's Modulus vs Density (log–log)

Tip: hover to read values, click to pin a point for export

ρ = density | E = Young's modulus | σ_y = yield strength (0 = brittle, no defined yield) | σ_UTS = ultimate tensile strength | ε_f = elongation at fracture | α = coefficient of thermal expansion | k = thermal conductivity | cp = specific heat | T_m = melting/softening temperature

How to Use This Calculator

1

Enter your input values

Fill in all required input fields for the Engineering Material Properties Reference. Most fields include unit selectors so you can work in your preferred unit system — metric or imperial, whichever matches your problem.

2

Review your inputs

Double-check that all values are correct and that you have selected the right units for each field. Incorrect units are the most common source of calculation errors and can produce results that are off by factors of 2, 10, or more.

3

Read the results

The Engineering Material Properties Reference instantly computes the output and displays results with units clearly labeled. All calculations happen in your browser — no loading time and no data sent to a server.

4

Explore parameter sensitivity

Try adjusting individual input values to see how the output changes. This is a quick and effective way to develop intuition about how different parameters influence the result and to identify which inputs have the largest effect.

Formula Reference

Engineering Material Properties Reference Formula

See calculator inputs for the governing equation

Variables: All variables and their units are labeled in the calculator interface above. Input fields accept values in multiple unit systems — select your preferred unit from the dropdown next to each field.

When to Use This Calculator

  • Use the Engineering Material Properties Reference when solving homework or exam problems that require quick numerical verification of your hand calculations — instant feedback helps identify arithmetic errors before they propagate.
  • Use it during the early design phase to rapidly iterate on parameters and narrow down feasible configurations before committing time to detailed finite element simulations or full design packages.
  • Use it when reviewing a colleague's calculation or checking a vendor's data sheet for plausibility — a quick sanity check can prevent costly downstream errors.
  • Use it to generate reference data for a technical report or presentation without manual computation, ensuring consistent, reproducible numbers throughout the document.
  • Use it in the field when a quick estimate is needed and a full engineering software package is not available.

About This Calculator

The Engineering Material Properties Reference is a precision engineering calculation tool designed for students, engineers, and technical professionals. Sortable reference table of 33+ materials — steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, titanium, nickel, polymers, ceramics. Properties: ρ, E, σy, σUTS, α, k, cp, Tm. All calculations are performed using established engineering formulas from the relevant scientific literature and standards. Inputs support both metric (SI) and imperial unit systems, with unit conversion handled automatically — simply select your preferred unit from the dropdown next to each field. Results are computed instantly in the browser without sending data to a server, ensuring both speed and privacy. This calculator is intended as a supplementary tool for learning and design exploration; always verify results against authoritative references for safety-critical applications.

The Theory Behind It

Metal properties reference tables tabulate the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of common engineering metals and alloys. Mechanical properties include density, Young's modulus (E), yield strength (σ_y), ultimate tensile strength (σ_u), elongation at break, Poisson's ratio, and hardness. Thermal properties include specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, and melting point. Electrical properties include electrical resistivity and temperature coefficient of resistance. Common metals in engineering tables include carbon and alloy steels (various grades), stainless steels (304, 316, 17-4 PH), aluminum alloys (6061, 7075, 2024), copper and copper alloys (brass, bronze), titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), nickel alloys (Inconel 718, Monel), cast iron (gray, ductile), and various specialty materials. Property values serve as starting points for design calculations, material selection trade studies, and failure analysis. Tables typically report room-temperature properties with notes about temperature dependence for critical applications. For high-temperature or cryogenic applications, additional temperature-dependent data are needed.

Real-World Applications

  • Material selection for structural design: compare strength-to-weight, strength-to-cost, and corrosion resistance across candidate materials to identify the best option for a specific application.
  • Failure analysis: compare actual failure loads and patterns with published material properties to identify defects, quality issues, or overload conditions.
  • Manufacturing process planning: machinability, formability, and weldability ratings from property tables guide process selection and parameter choices.
  • Thermal system design: use specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion for heat exchanger, pressure vessel, and hot equipment design.
  • Educational reference: undergraduate engineering courses rely on metal property tables as standard references for homework and exam problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What properties are included in metal reference tables?

Typically: density, Young's modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, elongation, Poisson's ratio, hardness (Rockwell or Brinell), specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, electrical resistivity, and melting point. Some tables also include fatigue strength, fracture toughness, corrosion characteristics, and machinability ratings.

Are these values exact for all metal grades?

Values are typical for the specified grade under standard heat treatment. Real material properties vary with: alloy composition within allowable ranges, heat treatment history, grain structure, processing method (rolled, cast, extruded), testing temperature, and strain rate. Published values are usually average or minimum specifications — real parts may exceed these, and critical applications should use material test reports for the specific lot.

How do properties vary with temperature?

Young's modulus decreases modestly with increasing temperature (about 10-20% reduction from room temperature to 500°C for most metals). Yield strength decreases more significantly, especially above 0.3-0.4 × melting temperature. Thermal conductivity typically decreases with increasing temperature for metals. For precision analysis at elevated temperatures, use temperature-dependent data rather than room-temperature values.

What's a typical yield strength for steel?

Mild carbon steel (A36): σ_y = 250 MPa (36 ksi). Structural steel (A572 Grade 50): σ_y = 345 MPa (50 ksi). High-strength low-alloy (HSLA): 450-550 MPa. Quenched and tempered steels: 600-900+ MPa. Ultra-high-strength steels (maraging, high-carbon martensite): 1500-2000+ MPa. The wide range reflects different alloys and heat treatments used for different applications.

How do I choose between aluminum and steel?

Compare strength-to-weight ratios (aluminum alloys often equal or exceed steel), cost (steel is typically 1/3 to 1/5 the cost of aluminum per pound), stiffness (steel has 3× the Young's modulus, which matters for deflection-critical applications), corrosion resistance (aluminum is better in most environments without coating), and manufacturing considerations. The right choice depends on the specific application requirements.

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References & Further Reading

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