Metal Properties

Choosing the right metal for a component usually comes down to a handful of physical properties — density, melting point, thermal and electrical conductivity, thermal expansion, and elastic modulus — weighed against cost, availability, and how easily the material can be machined, formed, or welded. The chart below brings these physical properties together for the common engineering metals, so you can compare candidates side by side rather than looking each one up separately.

For strength values (tensile, yield, and hardness) by specific grade and standard, see our Material Strength chart; to cross-reference a grade between national standards, see Materials Cross Reference.

The charts below gives the values for various Metal properties.

If you wish to convert values please use our universal converter.

RELATED PAGES

• Material Strength
• Materials Cross Reference
• Plastic Properties
• Periodic Table
• Metal and Plastic Weight Calculator

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's the difference between this page and the Material Strength chart?

This page covers physical properties (density, conductivity, expansion, etc.) that are largely consistent within a metal family; Material Strength covers mechanical strength values (tensile, yield), which vary considerably by specific grade, condition, and heat treatment even within the same base metal.

Do these properties change with alloying?

Yes, sometimes significantly — alloying elements can noticeably shift conductivity, density, and thermal expansion compared to the pure base metal. Where precision matters, always check the specific alloy's datasheet rather than relying on the pure metal value.