Comparing some typical properties of common engineering materials like steel, plastics, ceramics and composites
Composites
| Material | Density - ρ - 103 (kg/m3) |
Tensile Modulus - E - (GPa) |
Tensile Strength - σ - (GPa) |
Specific Modulus - E/ρ – |
Specific Strength - σ/ρ – |
Maximum Service Temperature (oC) |
| Short-fiber | ||||||
| Glass-filled epoxy (35%) | 1.9 | 25 | 0.3 | 8.26 | 0.16 | 80 – 200 |
| Glass-filled polyester (35%) | 2.0 | 15.7 | 0.13 | 7.25 | 0.065 | 80 – 125 |
| Glass-filled nylon (35%) | 1.6 | 14.5 | 0.2 | 8.95 | 0.12 | 75 – 110 |
| Unidirectional | ||||||
| S-glass epoxy (45%) | 1.8 | 39.5 | 0.87 | 21.8 | 0.48 | 80 – 215 |
| Carbon epoxy (61%) | 1.6 | 142 | 1.73 | 89.3 | 1.08 | 80 – 215 |
| Kevlar epoxy (53%) | 1.35 | 63.6 | 1.1 | 47.1 | 0.81 | 80 – 215 |
Metals
| Material | Density - ρ - 103 (kg/m3) |
Tensile Modulus - E - (GPa) |
Tensile Strength - σ - (GPa) |
Specific Modulus - E/ρ – |
Specific Strength - σ/ρ – |
Maximum Service Temperature (oC) |
| Cast Iron, grade 20 | 7.15 | 100 | 0.14 | 14.3 | 0.02 | 230 – 300 |
| Steel, AISI 1045 | 7.7 – 8.03 | 205 | 0.585 | 26.3 | 0.073 | 500 – 650 |
| Aluminium 2045-T4 | 2.7 | 73 | 0.45 | 27 | 0.17 | 150 – 250 |
| Aluminium 6061-T6 | 2.7 | 69 | 0.27 | 25.5 | 0.10 | 150 – 250 |
Ceramics
| Material | Density - ρ - 103 (kg/m3) |
Tensile Modulus - E - (GPa) |
Tensile Strength - σ - (GPa) |
Specific Modulus - E/ρ – |
Specific Strength - σ/ρ – |
Maximum Service Temperature (oC) |
| Alumina | 3.8 | 350 | 0.17 | 92.1 | 0.045 | 1425 – 1540 |
| MgO | 3.6 | 205 | 0.06 | 56.9 | 0.017 | 900 – 1000 |
Plastics
| Material | Density - ρ - 103 (kg/m3) |
Tensile Modulus - E - (GPa) |
Tensile Strength - σ - (GPa) |
Specific Modulus - E/ρ – |
Specific Strength - σ/ρ – |
Maximum Service Temperature (oC) |
| Nylon 6/6 | 1.15 | 2 – 3.6 | 0.082 | 2.52 | 0.071 | 75 – 100 |
| Polyethylene (HDPE) | 0.9 – 1.4 | 0.18 – 1.6 | 0.015 | |||
| Polypropylene | 0.9 – 1.24 | 1.4 | 0.033 | 1.55 | 0.037 | 50 – 80 |
| Epoxy | 1.25 | 3.5 | 0.069 | 2.8 | 0.055 | 80 – 215 |
| Phenolic | 1.35 | 3.0 | 0.006 | 2.22 | 0.004 | 70 – 120 |
