Engineering materials library
37 materials an engineer actually specifies, each with the property ranges that matter, what it is used for, and how it is processed and joined. Values are typical published ranges for orientation — confirm against the standard and the supplier datasheet before you commit.
AISI 1045 carbon steel
General-purpose medium-carbon steel; good strength/toughness balance, responds to quench & temper.
| Yield strength | 310–530 MPa (norm./Q&T) |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 565–850 MPa |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
AISI 4140 (42CrMo4)
Cr-Mo low-alloy steel with high hardenability and fatigue strength in the Q&T condition.
| Yield strength | 655–1000 MPa (Q&T) |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 900–1200 MPa |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
AISI 304 / 1.4301 stainless
The workhorse 18/8 austenitic stainless; excellent corrosion resistance and formability, non-magnetic (annealed).
| Yield strength | ≥ 205 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515–720 MPa |
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
AISI 316L / 1.4404 stainless
Mo-bearing austenitic stainless with improved pitting resistance (PREN ≈ 24); low-carbon variant for welding.
| Yield strength | ≥ 170 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485–620 MPa |
| PREN | ~24 |
17-4PH (1.4542)
Martensitic PH stainless combining ~1100 MPa strength with good corrosion resistance; properties set by aging (H900–H1150).
| Yield strength | 725–1170 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 930–1310 MPa |
| Density | 7.75 g/cm³ |
Ductile iron EN-GJS-400-15
Nodular (spheroidal graphite) cast iron; castable like grey iron but with steel-like ductility.
| Tensile strength | ≥ 400 MPa |
|---|---|
| Elongation | ≥ 15 % |
| Density | 7.1 g/cm³ |
Aluminum 6061-T6
The most versatile heat-treatable aluminum alloy: good strength, corrosion resistance, weldability and extrudability.
| Yield strength | ~276 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~310 MPa |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm³ |
Aluminum 7075-T6
Aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum approaching mild-steel strength at a third of the density.
| Yield strength | ~503 MPa |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~572 MPa |
| Density | 2.81 g/cm³ |
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
The standard titanium alloy: outstanding specific strength to ~350 °C and superb corrosion resistance; biocompatible.
| Yield strength | 830–1100 MPa |
|---|---|
| Density | 4.43 g/cm³ |
| E modulus | 114 GPa |
Magnesium AZ31B
Wrought magnesium alloy — the lightest structural metal in common use; excellent damping and machinability.
| Yield strength | 150–220 MPa |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.77 g/cm³ |
| E modulus | 45 GPa |
Copper Cu-ETP (C11000)
Electrolytic tough-pitch copper — the standard electrical conductor (≥ 100 % IACS).
| Conductivity | ≥ 100 % IACS |
|---|---|
| Yield strength | 70–330 MPa (temper) |
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
Cartridge brass C26000 (CuZn30)
70/30 brass with the best combination of strength and cold formability among brasses.
| Tensile strength | 300–900 MPa (temper) |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.53 g/cm³ |
| Elongation | up to 65 % |
Bearing bronze C93200 (SAE 660)
Leaded tin bronze — the standard general-purpose bearing material against steel shafts.
| Tensile strength | ~240 MPa |
|---|---|
| Hardness | ~65 HB |
| Density | 8.9 g/cm³ |
Monel 400 (NiCu30Fe)
Ni-Cu solid-solution alloy with outstanding seawater, HF and alkali resistance.
| Yield strength | 240–480 MPa |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.8 g/cm³ |
| Max service temp | ~540 °C |
Inconel 718
γ''-strengthened Ni superalloy, the aerospace standard to ~650 °C; good weldability for a superalloy.
| Yield strength | ~1030 MPa (aged) |
|---|---|
| Max service temp | ~650 °C |
| Density | 8.19 g/cm³ |
Hastelloy C-276
Ni-Mo-Cr-W alloy with near-universal resistance to hot acids and chlorides; benchmark for severe chemical service.
| Yield strength | ~355 MPa |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.89 g/cm³ |
| PREN | >70 |
Tungsten (pure)
Highest melting point of all metals (3422 °C); extreme density and stiffness, brittle below its DBTT.
| Melting point | 3422 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 19.25 g/cm³ |
| E modulus | 411 GPa |
Alumina Al₂O₃ (99.5 %)
The most widely used technical ceramic: hard, chemically inert, excellent electrical insulator.
| Hardness | ~18 GPa (HV) |
|---|---|
| Compressive strength | ~2500 MPa |
| Max service temp | ~1650 °C |
Zirconia Y-TZP (3Y)
Transformation-toughened zirconia — the toughest oxide ceramic ('ceramic steel').
| Fracture toughness | 5–10 MPa·√m |
|---|---|
| Flexural strength | 900–1200 MPa |
| Density | 6.05 g/cm³ |
Silicon carbide (SSiC)
Extremely hard, stiff, thermally conductive ceramic stable to very high temperature; also a wide-bandgap semiconductor.
| Hardness | ~25 GPa |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | 100–150 W/m·K |
| Max service temp | ~1600 °C |
Silicon nitride Si₃N₄
Best thermal-shock resistance among major ceramics; high toughness for a ceramic — the bearing-ball material.
| Fracture toughness | 5–8 MPa·√m |
|---|---|
| Flexural strength | 700–1000 MPa |
| Density | 3.2 g/cm³ |
Fused silica (SiO₂ glass)
Near-zero thermal expansion glass with excellent UV transmission and thermal-shock immunity.
| CTE | 0.55 ppm/K |
|---|---|
| Max service temp | ~1100 °C |
| Transmission | UV–IR |
Polyamide PA66 (nylon)
Tough, wear-resistant workhorse engineering polymer; properties drop notably with moisture uptake.
| Tensile strength | ~80 MPa (dry) |
|---|---|
| Max service temp | ~120 °C (cont.) |
| Density | 1.14 g/cm³ |
Polycarbonate (PC)
Transparent thermoplastic with outstanding impact strength; sensitive to solvents and UV (grade-dependent).
| Impact (notched Izod) | 600–850 J/m |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~65 MPa |
| Max service temp | ~115 °C |
PEEK
Semi-crystalline high-performance polymer: 250 °C continuous service, superb chemical resistance, sterilizable.
| Tensile strength | ~100 MPa |
|---|---|
| Max service temp | 250 °C (cont.) |
| Density | 1.30 g/cm³ |
PTFE (Teflon)
Lowest friction coefficient of any solid and near-total chemical inertness; soft and creep-prone.
| Friction coeff. | 0.05–0.10 |
|---|---|
| Service temp | -200 to +260 °C |
| Density | 2.2 g/cm³ |
UHMW-PE
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: extreme abrasion resistance and impact toughness, self-lubricating.
| Abrasion resistance | outstanding |
|---|---|
| Impact strength | no break |
| Max service temp | ~80 °C |
Nitrile rubber (NBR)
The default seal material for oils and fuels; limited weather/ozone resistance.
| Hardness | 40–90 Shore A |
|---|---|
| Service temp | -30 to +100 °C |
| Oil resistance | excellent |
EPDM
Outstanding ozone, UV, steam and water resistance; poor with oils and fuels.
| Hardness | 30–90 Shore A |
|---|---|
| Service temp | -50 to +150 °C |
| Weathering | excellent |
Silicone rubber (VMQ)
Widest service-temperature range of common elastomers; biocompatible; modest strength and tear resistance.
| Service temp | -60 to +230 °C |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 10–80 Shore A |
| Tear strength | low–moderate |
CFRP (carbon/epoxy laminate)
The benchmark high-performance structural composite: steel-level strength at ~20 % of the density (in-plane, fiber direction).
| Tensile strength (0°) | 1200–2000 MPa |
|---|---|
| E (0°) | 70–150 GPa |
| Density | 1.55 g/cm³ |
GFRP (glass/epoxy or polyester)
Cost-effective composite with good strength, corrosion resistance and electrical transparency.
| Tensile strength | 300–1100 MPa (layup) |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.8–2.0 g/cm³ |
| Cost | ~10× cheaper than CFRP |
Al-SiC metal-matrix composite
Aluminum reinforced with SiC particles: higher stiffness and wear resistance, tailored CTE for electronics.
| E modulus | 100–200 GPa |
|---|---|
| CTE | 7–12 ppm/K (tunable) |
| Density | 2.9–3.0 g/cm³ |
Monocrystalline silicon
The foundation of microelectronics and photovoltaics; indirect gap 1.12 eV.
| Band gap | 1.12 eV (indirect) |
|---|---|
| E modulus | 130–188 GPa (anisotropic) |
| Density | 2.33 g/cm³ |
Gallium nitride (GaN)
Wide-bandgap (3.4 eV) semiconductor enabling blue LEDs and high-frequency, high-power electronics.
| Band gap | 3.4 eV (direct) |
|---|---|
| Breakdown field | ~3.3 MV/cm |
| Structure | wurtzite |
PZT (lead zirconate titanate)
The dominant piezoelectric ceramic (perovskite); converts electrical ↔ mechanical energy with high coupling.
| d₃₃ | 300–600 pC/N |
|---|---|
| Curie temp | ~200–350 °C |
| Structure | perovskite ABO₃ |
NdFeB (N42–N52)
The strongest permanent magnet family; tetragonal Nd₂Fe₁₄B phase. Temperature-sensitive; Dy additions improve coercivity.
| (BH)max | up to ~52 MGOe |
|---|---|
| Max service temp | 80–200 °C (grade) |
| Density | 7.5 g/cm³ |
No material matches that filter.
By material class
Each category rolls up into one of the 5 broad classes, where bonding — not application — is what separates them.
Steels & Irons
6 materials · Metals & Alloys
Aluminum & Light Alloys
4 materials · Metals & Alloys
Copper & Nickel Alloys
4 materials · Metals & Alloys
Ceramics & Glasses
5 materials · Ceramics & Glasses
Polymers
5 materials · Polymers & Elastomers
Composites
3 materials · Composites
Semiconductors & Functional
4 materials · Semiconductors & Functional Materials
Narrowing 37 down to one
Describe the load case, the environment and the budget, and the material selector returns a ranked shortlist with the trade-offs spelled out.