Materials database

Highest standard strength ductile cast iron grade with minimum tensile strength 800 MPa and minimum elongation 2%. Achieved through fully pearlitic or bainitic matrix with alloying and/or heat treatment (normalizing and tempering). Used for heavy-duty gears, high-performance camshafts, crankshafts, connecting rods, and components where ductile iron replaces steel for cost and weight savings. Equivalent to DIN GGG80, ASTM A536 100-70-03.

Ultra-high-strength ductile cast iron with minimum tensile strength 900 MPa and minimum elongation 2%. The highest strength grade in EN 1563 for conventional (non-ADI) ductile iron. Always requires heat treatment (normalizing + tempering or quenching + tempering). Very high yield strength of 600 MPa minimum. Used for the most demanding ductile iron applications: heavy-duty gears, high-performance crankshafts, and structural components replacing steel forgings.

Compacted (vermicular) graphite iron, ferritic matrix. Intermediate properties between gray (GJL) and ductile (GJS) iron. Rm ≥300 MPa, Rp0.2 ≥210 MPa, A ≥2.0%. Density ~7.1 g/cm³, E-Modul 130–145 GPa. 75% higher tensile strength than equivalent gray iron with similar thermal conductivity (30–40 W/m·K). EN 16079 / ISO 16112. Applications: diesel engine blocks (V-type), cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, brake discs for high-speed trains. Produced by SinterCast process.

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum coated SMAW electrode matching Inconel 625 composition. 22% Cr, 9% Mo, 3.5% Nb. Used for welding Inconel 625, Incoloy 825, dissimilar joints between nickel alloys and stainless/carbon steels, and overlay cladding for corrosion protection. Outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. DCEP. Also used for repair welding of 9% Ni cryogenic steels (LNG tanks). Rebake 250–300°C for 1h.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber — THE outdoor/weather elastomer. Saturated backbone gives outstanding ozone, UV, and weathering resistance. Excellent resistance to steam, hot water, and polar solvents. NOT resistant to oils/fuels (opposite of NBR). Good electrical insulation. ρ 0.85-1.3 (lightest common rubber). Used for automotive door/window seals, roofing membranes, radiator hoses, HVAC gaskets, and pond liners.

Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy — the benchmark structural composite material. Unidirectional ply: tensile strength 1500–2000 MPa, modulus 120–150 GPa at density 1.55 g/cm³ (5x stronger than steel at 1/5 the weight). Quasi-isotropic layup: UTS ~600 MPa, E ~50 GPa. Autoclave-cured prepreg (aerospace) or infusion/RTM (industrial). Used in aerospace primary structures (fuselage, wings), Formula 1 chassis, bicycle frames, wind turbine blades, pressure vessels (Type IV) and high-end sporting goods. Fiber types: T300, T700, T800, M40J, M55J.

Expanded Polystyrene — a closed-cell rigid foam made by expansion of pre-foamed PS beads with pentane blowing agent. Density typically 10-50 kg/m³ (98% air by volume). Outstanding thermal insulation (lambda 0.033-0.040 W/m·K), excellent shock absorption, water-resistant, lightweight. Primary uses: building insulation (walls, roofs, floors), packaging (cushioning, cold chain), molded parts (helmets, coolers). Trade names include Styropor (BASF original, 1950), Neopor (graphite-enhanced), Airpop (industry collective brand).

Duplex stainless steel solid wire for GMAW/GTAW welding of duplex grades 2205 (1.4462) and similar. Cr 22%, Ni 8–10%, Mo 3%, N 0.10–0.20%. Overalloyed in Ni compared to the base metal to ensure correct 50/50 ferrite-austenite balance in the weld deposit. Critical for offshore, chemical, pulp & paper and desalination plant applications. Achieves PREN >30 and excellent resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking and pitting.

Super duplex stainless steel solid wire for GMAW/GTAW welding of super duplex grades 2507 (1.4410) and similar high-PRE alloys. Cr 25%, Ni 9.5%, Mo 4%, N 0.22–0.30%. Overalloyed in Ni to ensure correct ferrite-austenite balance in weld deposit. PREN >40 in the weld metal. Used for offshore platforms, subsea manifolds, seawater systems, chemical tankers and desalination plants. Critical that interpass temperature stays below 150°C.

Low-carbon austenitic stainless steel welding wire — the standard filler for joining 304 and 304L stainless steels. The L (low carbon ≤0.03%) prevents sensitization and intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone. Used for TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) with pure argon or Ar/CO2 shielding. Produces fully austenitic-ferritic weld metal with 5-15 FN (Ferrite Number) for crack resistance. Used for food processing equipment, chemical tanks, pharmaceutical vessels, and architectural stainless fabrication.

Austenitic stainless steel solid wire for GMAW/GTAW welding of dissimilar joints (stainless to carbon steel) and for cladding carbon steel with stainless overlay. Higher Cr (23–25%) and Ni (12–14%) content ensures crack-free austenitic weld deposits when diluted with carbon steel base metal. Low carbon (max 0.03%) prevents sensitization. Also used as first layer when welding 304/316 to carbon steel, and for repair welding of cast stainless steels.

Low-carbon molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel welding wire — the standard filler for joining 316 and 316L stainless steels. 2-3% Mo provides superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance versus ER308L, especially in chloride environments. Low carbon (≤0.03%) prevents sensitization. Used for TIG and MIG welding of chemical processing equipment, marine hardware, pharmaceutical vessels, pulp & paper digesters, and offshore piping. Also used for dissimilar joints between 304 and 316 grades.

Carbon steel solid wire for GMAW/GTAW with lower deoxidizer content than ER70S-6. Produces cleaner welds with less silicon island formation — preferred for single-pass welds on clean, mill-scale-free steel. Tensile strength 70 ksi (485 MPa). Less forgiving than ER70S-6 on dirty or rusty steel. Standard wire for precision fabrication, sheet metal, automotive and applications where post-weld cleaning or painting is critical.

The world's most popular solid MIG/TIG welding wire for carbon steel. High manganese (1.40-1.85%) and silicon (0.80-1.15%) content provides superior deoxidizing power — welds cleanly even on slightly rusty or oily steel. Copper-coated for smooth wire feeding. Produces X-ray quality porosity-free welds with excellent bead appearance. Used with CO2 or Ar/CO2 shielding gas. Minimum 480 MPa tensile strength. Used for general fabrication, structural steel, shipbuilding, pressure vessels, automotive, and construction. The go-to wire for every MIG welder.

Chromium-molybdenum solid wire (1.25% Cr, 0.50% Mo) for GMAW/GTAW welding of creep-resistant CrMo steels like 13CrMo4-5 (T11/P11) and similar grades. Tensile strength 80 ksi (550 MPa). Designed for power plant piping, boiler components, refinery equipment and pressure vessels operating at 450–550°C. PWHT (post-weld heat treatment) required at 690–720°C. Matching filler for ASTM A335 P11 pipe.

Nickel-chromium solid wire matching Inconel 600 (N06600). Ni-balance with ~20% Cr and ~3% Mn + Nb. The standard filler for GTAW/GMAW welding of Inconel 600/601, dissimilar welds between nickel alloys and stainless/carbon steels, and for surfacing austenitic stainless steels with nickel alloy overlay. Excellent resistance to hot cracking. Used in power generation (nuclear steam generators), chemical processing, furnace components and heat-resisting applications. Also known as Inconel Filler Metal 82.

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum solid wire matching Inconel 625 (N06625). 22% Cr, 9% Mo, 3.5% Nb. The workhorse wire for GMAW/GTAW welding of nickel alloys, dissimilar joints (Ni alloy to stainless/carbon steel), corrosion-resistant overlay cladding and repair welding. Outstanding resistance to pitting in chloride environments. Also used for welding 9% Ni cryogenic steels (ASTM A553). Shielding: pure Ar or Ar/He for GTAW, Ar/He/CO2 mix for pulsed GMAW.

Nickel-iron-chromium solid wire matching Inconel 718 (N07718). Ni 50–55%, Cr 17–21%, Nb+Ta 4.75–5.50%, Mo 2.8–3.3%. Age-hardenable weld deposit reaching UTS >1000 MPa after PWHT. Used for GTAW/GMAW welding of Inconel 718, dissimilar joints in aerospace (turbine discs, casings) and oil & gas (subsea, HPHT). Post-weld aging at 720°C/8h + 620°C/8h required for full strength. Also designated as Inconel Filler Metal 718.

Fluoroelastomer — THE high-temperature and chemical-resistant rubber. Outstanding resistance to oils, fuels, acids, and solvents at temperatures up to 200°C (short-term 230°C). Fluorine content (64-70%) determines chemical resistance. Trade names: Viton (Chemours), Tecnoflon (Solvay), Dai-El (Daikin). 5-10x more expensive than NBR. Used for aerospace fuel seals, chemical process seals, automotive fuel injector O-rings, semiconductor processing, and any seal exposed to aggressive chemicals at high temperature.

Flame retardant woven fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin binder — the worldwide standard substrate material for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Designated NEMA grade FR-4 and IPC-4101. Good mechanical strength, dimensional stability and electrical insulation up to 130°C (Tg). Dielectric constant 4.2–4.7 at 1 MHz. Self-extinguishing (UL94 V-0). Used for single/multilayer PCBs, electrical insulation boards, structural composites in electronics, test fixtures and jigs. Available in thicknesses 0.1–50 mm.

Glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite — the cost-effective structural composite for industrial, marine and construction applications. E-glass fiber in epoxy matrix. Unidirectional: UTS ~1000 MPa, E ~40 GPa. Quasi-isotropic layup: UTS ~300 MPa, E ~18 GPa. Density 1.8–2.1 g/cm³. Electrically insulating (unlike CFRP). Used for boat hulls, wind turbine blades, chemical tanks/pipes, architectural panels, ladders, gratings, automotive body panels and electrical insulation structures.

General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), also called Crystal PS — an amorphous, glassy, transparent thermoplastic with sparkle appearance. Excellent optical clarity (~88-92% light transmission), high stiffness, good dimensional stability, low cost. Inherently brittle (elongation 1-3%) and notch-sensitive — HIPS is the impact-modified alternative. Commercialized in the 1930s; today mainly produced by INEOS Styrolution, Trinseo, and TotalEnergies. Typical applications: disposable cups, CD cases, Petri dishes, yogurt containers, cosmetic packaging, costume jewelry, toys, office equipment.

Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel — close relative of H13 with slightly lower C and V. Good hot hardness, thermal fatigue resistance and toughness. Used for forging dies, extrusion tooling, mandrels, and die-casting tools. Often preferred over H13 where higher toughness is needed.

The most widely used hot-work tool steel globally. Excellent combination of hot hardness, toughness, and thermal fatigue resistance. Used for die-casting dies (aluminum, zinc, magnesium), forging dies, extrusion tooling, and hot shear blades.