liminfoMaterial Properties
Free reference guide: Material Properties
About Material Properties
The Engineering Material Properties Reference is a free, searchable database of mechanical and thermal properties for over 20 commonly used engineering materials. It covers steels (SS304, SS316L, S45C, SCM440, SKD11), aluminum alloys (6061-T6, 7075-T6, 2024-T3), titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, copper alloys (C11000, C17200 beryllium copper), and engineering plastics (ABS, PC, PA66, PEEK, POM).
Each material entry includes tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), elastic modulus (E), density, Poisson ratio, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal conductivity, hardness values (HRC/HRB/HB/HV), typical applications, and heat treatment conditions. The tool also provides hardness conversion tables (HRC-HB-HV) and comparison charts for specific strength, thermal conductivity, and CTE across material classes.
Designed for mechanical engineers, materials engineers, product designers, and manufacturing professionals who need quick access to reliable material data during design, analysis, or material selection. All data is presented in a categorized, searchable format with bilingual Korean and English support.
Key Features
- Complete mechanical properties for 20+ materials: UTS, YS, elastic modulus, density, Poisson ratio, and hardness
- Thermal properties including CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) and thermal conductivity for heat management design
- Steel database covering austenitic stainless (304, 316L), carbon steel (S45C/1045), alloy steel (SCM440/4140), and tool steel (SKD11/D2)
- Aluminum alloy data for 6061-T6, 7075-T6, and 2024-T3 with temper designations and weldability notes
- Engineering plastic properties for ABS, PC, PA66, PEEK, and POM with HDT, shrinkage, and moisture absorption data
- Hardness conversion table: Rockwell C (HRC), Brinell (HB), Vickers (HV) with approximate UTS correlation formulas
- Comparison charts for specific strength (strength-to-weight ratio), thermal conductivity, and CTE across metals, plastics, and composites
- Category-filtered browsing: Steel, Non-ferrous Metals, Plastics, Hardness Conversion, Comparison Tables
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials are included in this reference?
The reference includes 5 steels (SS304, SS316L, S45C/1045, SCM440/4140, SKD11/D2), 6 non-ferrous metals (Al 6061-T6, Al 7075-T6, Al 2024-T3, Ti-6Al-4V, Cu C11000, Cu-Be C17200), and 5 engineering plastics (ABS, PC, PA66, PEEK, POM). It also includes hardness conversion tables and cross-material comparison charts for specific strength, thermal conductivity, and CTE.
How do I convert between HRC, HB, and HV hardness scales?
The tool includes a hardness conversion table with approximate values. Key formulas: HV is roughly HB multiplied by 1.05 (for HB under 300), UTS in MPa is approximately HB multiplied by 3.45 (for steel), and HRC can be estimated as (HB minus 111) divided by 5.23, plus 20. The table covers HRC 20 through 65 with corresponding HB, HV, and estimated tensile strength values.
What is the difference between Al 6061-T6 and Al 7075-T6?
Al 6061-T6 is an Al-Mg-Si alloy with 310 MPa UTS, good weldability (TIG/MIG), and 167 W/m-K thermal conductivity, making it ideal for general structural applications. Al 7075-T6 is an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy with 572 MPa UTS (highest strength aluminum class), but it is not weldable and susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Choose 7075-T6 for maximum strength in aerospace; choose 6061-T6 when weldability and corrosion resistance matter.
Which engineering plastic has the highest temperature resistance?
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) has the highest continuous use temperature at 260 degrees Celsius with an HDT of 160 degrees at 1.82 MPa. It offers 100 MPa tensile strength and excellent chemical and radiation resistance. However, PEEK is approximately 50 times more expensive than PA66. For moderate temperature applications, POM (HDT 110 degrees) or PA66 (HDT 66-75 degrees dry) are more cost-effective alternatives.
What is specific strength and why does it matter?
Specific strength is the ratio of yield strength to density (MPa per g/cm3), measuring how efficiently a material carries load relative to its weight. In the comparison chart, CFRP leads at 387 MPa/(g/cm3), followed by Ti-6Al-4V at 198.6, Al 7075-T6 at 179.0, and SCM440 at 105.7. This metric is critical for aerospace and automotive weight reduction, where CFRP and titanium outperform steel despite lower absolute strength.
How do I choose between SS304 and SS316L stainless steel?
SS304 (18Cr-8Ni) has higher tensile strength (515 vs 485 MPa) and is more economical for general corrosion-resistant applications like food equipment and architecture. SS316L (16Cr-10Ni-2Mo) contains molybdenum for superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance, plus its low carbon content (under 0.03%) prevents sensitization during welding. Choose 316L for marine environments, medical devices, chemical plants, and any chloride-rich conditions.
What properties should I check for thermal management design?
Focus on thermal conductivity (k) and CTE. For heat sinks, copper (388 W/m-K) and aluminum (237 W/m-K) are ideal. For insulation, use plastics (ABS: 0.17, PEEK: 0.25 W/m-K) or air gaps (0.026 W/m-K). For thermal stress analysis, use the formula: thermal stress equals elastic modulus times CTE times temperature change. Materials with low CTE like Invar (1.2 um/m/C) are used for precision instruments to minimize thermal deformation.
Is this material data suitable for engineering calculations?
The data provides typical or nominal values suitable for preliminary design, material selection screening, and educational purposes. For final engineering calculations and critical applications, always verify against the specific material supplier datasheet, applicable ASTM/JIS/EN standards, and certified test reports. Properties can vary significantly with heat treatment condition, grain direction, temperature, and manufacturing process.