30+ materials. Apples to apples. Side by side.
Complete mechanical property comparison across our most-used engineering materials. Typical values based on ASTM/ISO standards. Use as a quick reference, then verify specific properties on the material\'s detail page.
Material properties comparison
One engineer owns the job from quote to dock: DFM review before cutting, inspection through the run, and an inspection report in the box.
Metal property comparison.
| Material | ρ (g/cc) | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Hardness | Machinability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al 6061-T6 | 2.70 | 276 | 310 | 95 HB | Excellent |
| Al 7075-T6 | 2.81 | 503 | 572 | 150 HB | Good |
| Al 2024-T3 | 2.78 | 324 | 483 | 120 HB | Good |
| Al 5052-H32 | 2.68 | 193 | 228 | 60 HB | Good |
| Mg AZ91 | 1.81 | 160 | 240 | 75 HB | Excellent (hazardous chips) |
| SS 304 | 8.00 | 215 | 515 | 70 HRB | Fair |
| SS 316L | 8.00 | 205 | 515 | 79 HRB | Fair |
| SS 303 | 8.00 | 240 | 620 | 76 HRB | Good (free-cutting) |
| SS 17-4 PH H900 | 7.75 | 1,170 | 1,310 | 40 HRC | Fair |
| SS 15-5 PH H1025 | 7.81 | 1,000 | 1,070 | 35 HRC | Fair |
| Steel 1018 | 7.87 | 370 | 440 | 126 HB | Good |
| Steel 4140 QT | 7.85 | 655 | 1,020 | 28 HRC | Fair |
| Steel 4340 QT | 7.85 | 860 | 1,280 | 32 HRC | Fair |
| Tool Steel D2 HT | 7.70 | 1,900 | 1,930 | 60 HRC | Poor (CBN) |
| Tool Steel H13 HT | 7.80 | 1,450 | 1,620 | 50 HRC | Fair |
| Ti Gr.2 | 4.51 | 275 | 345 | 80 HRB | Fair |
| Ti-6Al-4V Gr.5 | 4.43 | 828 | 895 | 334 HB | Poor |
| Ti Gr.23 ELI | 4.43 | 795 | 860 | 334 HB | Poor |
| Brass C360 | 8.50 | 310 | 379 | 95 HRB | Excellent (100% ref) |
| Brass C260 | 8.53 | 275 | 379 | 80 HRB | Fair |
| Copper C110 | 8.94 | 69 | 224 | 40 HRB | Fair |
| Inconel 625 | 8.44 | 414 | 827 | 220 HB | Very Poor |
| Inconel 718 Aged | 8.19 | 1,036 | 1,275 | 45 HRC | Very Poor |
Plastic property comparison.
| Material | ρ (g/cc) | Tensile (MPa) | Flex Mod (GPa) | HDT 0.45 MPa | Water Abs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | 1.05 | 42 | 2.3 | 98 °C | 0.3 % |
| PC · Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 65 | 2.3 | 140 °C | 0.15 % |
| PC/ABS | 1.13 | 56 | 2.5 | 120 °C | 0.2 % |
| PMMA · Acrylic | 1.18 | 72 | 3.3 | 95 °C | 0.2 % |
| PA6 · Nylon | 1.14 | 75 | 2.7 | 170 °C | 2.7 % |
| PA66 · Nylon | 1.14 | 80 | 2.8 | 200 °C | 2.8 % |
| PA66-GF30 | 1.36 | 150 | 9.0 | 250 °C | 1.8 % |
| POM / Delrin | 1.41 | 70 | 2.8 | 136 °C | 0.22 % |
| POM-GF30 | 1.60 | 90 | 5.8 | 152 °C | 0.2 % |
| PTFE · Teflon | 2.20 | 21 | 0.48 | 121 °C | < 0.01 % |
| PEEK | 1.32 | 100 | 3.9 | 160 °C | 0.14 % |
| PEEK-CF30 | 1.44 | 220 | 8.0 | 300 °C | 0.1 % |
| Ultem 1000 · PEI | 1.27 | 85 | 3.3 | 200 °C | 0.25 % |
| PPS | 1.35 | 85 | 4.0 | 260 °C | 0.03 % |
| PPSU · Radel | 1.29 | 70 | 2.3 | 204 °C | 0.4 % |
| PVDF | 1.78 | 53 | 2.0 | 148 °C | 0.04 % |
| HDPE | 0.96 | 26 | 1.1 | 80 °C | < 0.01 % |
| PP | 0.91 | 35 | 1.4 | 95 °C | 0.01 % |
| G10 / FR4 | 1.80 | 260 | 18.0 | 140 °C | 0.2 % |
30+ materials — questions
Are these typical values or guaranteed minimums?
These are typical values based on standard ASTM/ISO test methods and mill-typical properties. For design calculations, always use the manufacturer's guaranteed minimum properties (typically 95% of typical). For safety-critical applications, also apply appropriate safety factors (2–3× for static loads, 3–5× for dynamic loads).
Why do properties vary between grades of the same material?
Temper (heat treatment) state dramatically affects properties — Al 6061-T6 yield is 276 MPa vs 6061-O annealed at 55 MPa. Processing (cast vs wrought vs extruded) also matters. Alloy additions change strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Always specify the exact temper and condition on drawings.
How do I use this table for my design?
First identify your 2–3 critical properties (e.g., tensile strength, density, HDT). Scan the table for materials meeting those thresholds. Then check manufacturability (machinability rating) and cost. Finally, verify specific grade properties on manufacturer datasheets before finalizing.
What about creep, fatigue, and long-term properties?
This table shows short-term properties. For long-term, cyclic, or creep loading, consult manufacturer datasheets — most alloys show significant strength reduction under 10,000+ hour loading or millions of stress cycles. Our engineering team can recommend appropriate derating factors for your application.
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