The strength of a metal is an important factor in determining its suitability for a particular application. Stronger metals can be used in structural applications, such as in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure, where they are subjected to high loads and stresses. They can also be used in the manufacture of mechanical components, such as gears, shafts, and bearings, where they must be able to withstand high levels of force. This article concludes the strength and mechanical properties of common metals in different grades or alloys for your reference.
Different Types of Metal Strength
There are several types of strength that can be used to describe the properties of a material:
- Yield strength: This is the amount of stress a material can withstand before it begins to permanently deform. It is typically measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or megapascals (MPa).
- Tensile strength: This is the maximum amount of tensile (stretching) stress a material can withstand before breaking. It is typically measured in psi or MPa.
- Compressive strength: This is the maximum amount of compressive (squeezing) stress a material can withstand before breaking. It is typically measured in psi or MPa.
- Shear strength: This is the maximum amount of shear (sliding) stress a material can withstand before breaking. It is typically measured in psi or MPa.
- Torsional strength: This is the maximum amount of torsional (twisting) stress a material can withstand before breaking. It is typically measured in psi or MPa.
- Fatigue strength: This is the maximum amount of cyclic stress that a material can withstand before failing due to fatigue. It is typically measured in psi or MPa.
- Impact strength: This is the ability of a material to withstand a sudden load or impact without breaking. Impact strength is often measured using techniques such as the Izod or Charpy test.
General Properties of Metal Materials
There are several common properties that are used to describe the characteristics of metal materials:
- Strength: This refers to a material’s ability to withstand forces acting on it without breaking or deforming. The two most common measures of strength are yield strength and tensile strength. Yield strength is the point at which a material begins to permanently deform, while tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile (stretching) stress a material can withstand before breaking.
- Ductility: This refers to a material’s ability to be stretched or deformed without breaking. A material that is highly ductile can be stretched or bent into a variety of shapes without breaking.
- Hardness: This refers to a material’s resistance to deformation, scratching, or indentation. Hardness is often measured using a variety of techniques, such as the Rockwell or Brinell test.
- Elasticity: This refers to a material’s ability to return to its original shape after being subjected to a force or load. Materials that are highly elastic will return to their original shape quickly and completely when the force is removed.
- Malleability: This refers to a material’s ability to be deformed or shaped by hammering or rolling. Materials that are highly malleable can be easily formed into a variety of shapes.
- Conductivity: This refers to a material’s ability to conduct electricity or heat. Metals are generally good conductors of electricity and heat, while non-metals are generally poor conductors.
- Corrosion resistance: This refers to a material’s ability to resist deterioration or damage due to chemical reactions with its environment. Some materials are naturally corrosion-resistant, while others may require protective coatings or other treatments to prevent corrosion.
Metal Strength Chart & Metal Mechanical Properties Chart
You are supposed to know some essential parameters when determining the right metal for your applications. Parameters such as tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, density, etc should be taken into account. The chart below may help you to have a good comparison between different metals.
Metal Strength Chart
Types of Metals |
Tensile Strength (PSI) |
Yield Strength (PSI) |
Hardness Rockwell B-Scale |
Density (kg/m3 ) |
Stainless Steel 304 |
90,000 |
40,000 |
88 |
8000 |
Aluminum 6061-T6 |
45,000 |
40,000 |
60 |
2720 |
Aluminum 5052-H32 |
33,000 |
28,000 |
|
2680 |
Aluminum 3003 |
22,000 |
21,000 |
20 to 25 |
2730 |
Steel A36 |
58-80, 000 |
36,000 |
|
7800 |
Steel grade 50 |
65,000 |
50,000 |
|
7800 |
Yellow Brass |
|
40,000 |
55 |
8470 |
Red Brass |
|
49,000 |
65 |
8746 |
Copper |
|
28,000 |
10 |
8940 |
Phosphor Bronze |
|
55,000 |
78 |
8900 |
Aluminum Bronze |
|
27,000 |
77 |
7700-8700 |
Titanium |
63,000 |
37,000 |
80 |
4500 |
Mechanical Properties of Steel Grades and Alloys
Properties |
Carbon Steels |
Alloy Steels |
Stainless Steels |
Tool Steels |
Density (1000 kg/m3) |
7.85 |
7.85 |
7.75-8.1 |
7.72-8.0 |
Elastic Modulus (GPa) |
190-210 |
190-210 |
190-210 |
190-210 |
Poisson's Ratio |
0.27-0.3 |
0.27-0.3 |
0.27-0.3 |
0.27-0.3 |
Thermal Expansion (10-6/K) |
11-16.6 |
9.0-15 |
9.0-20.7 |
9.4-15.1 |
Melting Point(C) |
|
|
1371-1454 |
|
Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K) |
24.3-65.2 |
26-48.6 |
11.2-36.7 |
19.9-48.3 |
Specifc Heat (⊃/kg-K) |
450-2081 |
452-1499 |
420-500 |
|
Electrical Resistivity (10-9W-m) |
130-1250 |
210-1251 |
75.7-1020 |
|
Tensile Strength (MPa] |
276-1882 |
758-1882 |
515-827 |
640-2000 |
Yield Strength (MPa) |
186-758 |
366-1793 |
207- 552 |
380-440 |
Percent Elongation (%) |
10-32 |
4-31 |
12-40 |
5-25 |
Hardness (Brinell 3000kg) |
86-388 |
149-627 |
137-595 |
210-620 |
Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel Grades and Alloys
Grade |
UNS No. |
Common form |
Treatment |
Tensile strength MPa (min.) |
Yield strength (0.2% offset) MPa (min.) |
Elongation % in 50mm (min.) |
Hardness (max) (Note 2) |
Austenitic stainless steels |
253MA |
S30815 |
Plate |
Annealed |
600 |
310 |
40 |
95 HRB |
301 |
S30100 |
Sheet or coil |
Annealed 1/4 to full hard |
515
860-1275 |
205
515- 965 |
40
25-9 |
95 HRB |
302HQ |
S30430 |
Wire 2.5mm dia. and over |
Annealed Lighty drawn |
605 max.
660 max. |
- |
- |
- |
303 |
530300 |
Bar |
Cold finished Condition A |
|
|
|
262 HB |
304 |
530400 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
92 HRB |
304L |
S30403 |
Plate |
Annealed |
485 |
170 |
40 |
88 HRB |
304H |
S30409 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
92 HRB |
3095 |
530908 |
Bar |
Annealed |
515 |
20 |
40 |
95 HRB |
310 |
S31000 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
95 HRB |
316 |
S31600 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
95 HRB |
316L |
S31603 |
Plate |
Annealed |
485 |
170 |
40 |
95 HRB |
317L |
S31703 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
95 HRB |
321 |
S32100 |
Sheet |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
40 |
95 HRB |
347 |
S34700 |
Plate |
Annealed |
515 |
205 |
39 |
92 HRB |
904L |
N08904 |
Plate |
Annealed |
490 |
220 |
40 |
70 - 90 NRB typical |
Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Grades and Alloys
Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Grades and Alloys
Mechanical Properties of Titanium Grades and Alloys
Mechanical Properties of Copper Grades and Alloys