Typical Material Properties: Steel, Stainless, Aluminium, Copper
Typical density, elastic modulus, strength, thermal expansion and conductivity for common engineering metals.
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Calculated from standard textbook formulas, with every step shown. The formulas are fixed, so the working does not need checking: what matters is the numbers you type in. Use these calculators only if you are competent to choose the inputs (loads, material strength, dimensions, supports) and check your units and assumptions. For learning and checking your own working: design and sign-off are for a qualified engineer. Drafting Central does not store the numbers you type.
How this calculator works
Choose a material to see its typical properties: density, Young's modulus E, shear modulus G, Poisson's ratio, yield strength, tensile strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and specific heat.
The figures are typical or minimum values for learning and quick checks. Real work uses the mill certificate or the standard, because strength depends on the grade, the thickness, the heat treatment and the supplier.
Formulas used
- G = \frac{E}{2(1 + \nu)}
Worked example
With the default numbers in the calculator above:
- Density: 7850 kg/m³
- Elastic (Young) modulus: 200 GPa
- Shear modulus: 79 GPa
- Poisson's ratio: 0.3
- Yield strength (or 0.2% proof): 250 MPa
- Ultimate tensile strength: 410 MPa
- Coefficient of thermal expansion: 12 ×10⁻⁶ /K
- Thermal conductivity: 50 W/m·K
- Specific heat: 490 J/kg·K
Change the numbers in the calculator to see the full working, every step, for your own case.
Common questions
Are these design values?
No. They are typical or minimum figures. Use the certificate or the standard for design.
Why is aluminium so much less stiff than steel?
Its elastic modulus is about a third of steel's (69 against 200 GPa), so for the same section it deflects about three times as much.
Why does stainless steel expand more than carbon steel?
Austenitic stainless steels have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, about 16 to 17 against 12 × 10⁻⁶ per kelvin.
Related calculators
Further reading: ASM Handbook; manufacturers' data sheets.
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