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
Aluminum 2045-T4	2.7	73	0.45	27	0.17	150 - 250
Aluminum 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