Materials database

Ultra-high-strength quenched and tempered fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 960 MPa. QL designation indicates impact testing at -40°C. Used for mobile cranes, heavy lift equipment, offshore wind turbine towers, mining machinery, and weight-critical structural applications. Weldable with appropriate precautions (preheating, low hydrogen). Dramatically reduces component weight compared to conventional structural steels.

Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer — AN 20-30% improves chemical resistance, heat resistance, and stiffness vs PS. Transparent (clear). Higher stiffness (E ~3.5 GPa) and HDT than PMMA. Used for housewares, cosmetic packaging, instrument lenses, battery cases, and transparent housings. THE clear engineering-grade styrenic. Also base polymer for ABS (SAN + butadiene rubber).

Pressureless sintered alpha-silicon carbide (SSiC). One of the hardest and lightest engineering ceramics (density 3.1 g/cm³). Exceptional thermal conductivity (120 W/m·K), very high compressive strength (3900 MPa), hardness 2800 HV, and outstanding chemical inertness. Maintains strength to 1650°C. Semiconductor (variable resistivity). Applications: mechanical seals, bearings, pump components, kiln furniture, semiconductor furnace parts, ballistic armor, brake discs.

High-performance non-oxide ceramic with the highest fracture toughness among engineering ceramics (6–8 MPa·m½). Interlocking rod-like β-Si3N4 microstructure provides excellent thermal shock resistance. Flexural strength 690–830 MPa, density 3.27–3.29 g/cm³ (lightweight), thermal conductivity 29–30 W/m·K. Hardness 1450–1580 HV. Applications: precision bearing balls and rollers, cutting tools, turbocharger rotors, engine valves, metal forming dies, weld positioners.

Two-component platinum-catalyzed liquid silicone rubber processed by injection molding. Cures at 120–200°C in seconds (fast cycles). Outstanding temperature range -55°C to +200°C (intermittent 300°C). Biocompatible (USP Class VI, ISO 10993), optically clear grades available, excellent electrical insulation. Shore hardness 10A to 70A. Trade names: Silopren (Momentive), Elastosil (Wacker), Silastic (Dow). Used for baby bottle nipples, medical device seals, automotive gaskets, LED optics, baking molds, wearable devices and overmolded electronics.

Silicone rubber (VMQ = Vinyl Methyl Polysiloxane) — THE extreme-temperature elastomer. Usable from -60°C to +230°C continuous (short-term +300°C). Excellent UV/ozone/weathering resistance. Biocompatible (FDA, USP Class VI). Low compression set. Electrically insulating. Lower tensile/tear strength than organic rubbers. Used for seals/gaskets, medical tubing/implants, food-grade components, baby products, automotive ignition boots, and LED/lighting encapsulation.

Low-carbon cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy optimized for cavitation, galling, and corrosion resistance rather than abrasive wear. CoCrMo matrix without tungsten — Mo replaces W for superior corrosion resistance in reducing environments. Lower hardness (25-35 HRC) than Stellite 6 but better ductility and thermal/mechanical shock resistance. Used for valve seats in corrosive service, pump components in chemical processing, hot gas path components, and nuclear valve hardfacing. Also used as dental/orthopedic implant hardfacing.

The world's most widely used cobalt-based wear-resistant alloy. CoCrW matrix with hard chromium carbides (M7C3) provides exceptional resistance to abrasion, erosion, cavitation, galling, and corrosion across a wide temperature range. Retains hardness up to 500°C. Non-magnetic. Industry standard for general-purpose wear resistance — suitable for hardfacing (PTA, laser, TIG), casting, and powder metallurgy. Used for valve seats, pump sleeves, bearing surfaces, cutting tools, hot-forming dies, and turbine blade erosion shields.

Super duplex stainless steel with PREN >40. Superior corrosion resistance to standard 2205 duplex, especially in chloride and H₂S environments. Used for subsea pipelines, offshore platform components, desalination plants, and chemical processing equipment.

Japanese martensitic stainless steel — the higher-carbon variant of the 420 family (C 0.26-0.40%). Achieves HRC 50-55 after heat treatment. Very good corrosion resistance for a martensitic grade. THE budget knife/cutlery steel worldwide. Also used for surgical instruments, haircutting scissors, and industrial blades. ≈ EN X30Cr13 (1.4028) / Chinese 3Cr13.

CP Titanium Grade 11 — Ti-0.12-0.25% Pd. Same mechanical properties as Grade 1 (lowest strength CP) but with dramatically improved crevice corrosion resistance in reducing acid environments due to Pd addition. Used for chemical process equipment, heat exchangers, and vessels handling HCl, H2SO4, and other reducing acids where unalloyed CP-Ti would corrode.

Titanium alloy with 0.3% Mo + 0.8% Ni — improved crevice and reducing-acid corrosion resistance over CP grades. Strength similar to Grade 2 but much better in chemical environments containing hot brines and reducing acids. More cost-effective than Grade 7 (Pd). Used for heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and chemical processing equipment in corrosive service.

Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Extra Low Interstitials) — the medical-grade version of the most common titanium alloy. Lower O, N, C, Fe limits than Grade 5 for improved fracture toughness, ductility, and biocompatibility. ASTM F136 specifies it for surgical implants. Slightly lower strength than Grade 5 but better fatigue crack growth resistance. Used for orthopedic implants (hip/knee), spinal fixation, dental implants, and cryogenic aerospace applications.

Commercially pure titanium Grade 3 — highest oxygen (0.35% max) of the CP grades = highest strength (UTS 450-550 MPa). Between Grade 2 (general purpose) and Grade 4 (maximum CP strength). Used for chemical process equipment, marine hardware, and structural components where higher strength than Grade 2 is needed but alloy cost (Ti-6Al-4V) is not justified.

Palladium-enhanced commercially pure titanium — the most corrosion-resistant Ti grade. Same mechanical properties as Grade 2, but with 0.12-0.25% Pd for dramatically improved resistance to reducing acids (HCl, H2SO4) and crevice corrosion. Premium price justified only where extreme chemical resistance is needed. Used for chemical processing equipment, desalination plants, and chlor-alkali cells.

Medium-strength alpha-beta titanium alloy — the standard for seamless tubing. 50% stronger than CP Grade 2 with better cold formability than Ti-6Al-4V. The go-to alloy for hydraulic tubing in aerospace and bicycle frames. Used for aircraft hydraulic lines, offshore risers, and sporting goods.

Near-beta titanium alloy developed for high-strength airframe forgings. UNS R56410. Solution treated + aged: Rm ~1195–1241 MPa, Rp0.2 ~1100–1120 MPa, A ~10%. Density 4.65 g/cm³, E-Modul 110 GPa. Best hot-die forgeability of any commercial titanium alloy. Deep-hardenable. AMS 4983/4984/4986/4987. Applications: aircraft landing gear (Boeing 777, Airbus A380), actuation components, helicopter rotor hubs, high-strength structural forgings.

Near-beta high-strength titanium alloy developed by VSMPO-AVISMA. Rm ~1250 MPa, Rp0.2 ~1170 MPa, A ~6–8%. Density 4.62 g/cm³. Deep section hardenability superior to Ti-10-2-3. Boeing selected for 787 Dreamliner landing gear and other structural forgings. Better forgeability window than Ti-10-2-3. Applications: large structural forgings for landing gear, flap tracks, wing spars, helicopter components.

Near-alpha high-temperature titanium alloy. Better creep resistance than Ti-6Al-4V at temperatures above 400°C — usable to 550°C continuous. Sn and Zr are alpha-stabilizers providing solid-solution strengthening without eutectoid decomposition. THE jet engine compressor disc alloy (stages 2-7 typically). Also used for afterburner structures, blisks, and gas turbine components. Si addition (0.06-0.10%) further improves creep.

Near-alpha high-temperature titanium alloy with silicon addition for creep resistance. UNS R54620. Rm 940–1110 MPa, Rp0.2 860–1050 MPa, A 13–15%. Density 4.54 g/cm³, E-Modul 114–118 GPa. Excellent creep strength and thermal stability to 540°C. AMS 4919/4975/4976. Applications: gas turbine compressor blades and discs, impellers, afterburner structures, hot airframe skin. Boeing 787, GE/P&W engines.

Beta-rich alpha-beta titanium alloy — higher Mo (6%) than Ti-6242 for significantly higher strength (UTS 1100+ STA). Forged beta then STA (Solution Treat + Age) for peak properties. Used for high-compressor discs and blades in jet engines where strength at 300-450°C is critical. More Beta phase than 6242 = higher strength but lower creep resistance. AMS 4981.

The most widely used titanium alloy — accounts for ~50% of all titanium production. Alpha-beta alloy with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Used for jet engine components, airframe structures, medical implants (hip/knee), fasteners, and racing components. Biocompatible.

Extra Low Interstitial version of Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) — the gold standard for surgical implants. Reduced O (≤0.13%), Fe (≤0.25%), and C (≤0.08%) versus Grade 5 enhance ductility, fracture toughness, and fatigue strength with some strength reduction. Biocompatible (ASTM F136), MRI-compatible, and spontaneously passivating. Used for orthopedic implants (hip/knee replacements, spinal fixation), dental implants, bone plates/screws, aerospace structural components requiring high damage tolerance, and cryogenic vessels down to -320°C. W.Nr. 3.7165.

Extra Low Interstitial version of Ti-6Al-4V — the standard titanium for surgical implants. Reduced O, N, C, Fe for improved ductility, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility. Used for hip and knee implants, bone screws, dental implants, spinal fusion devices, and cardiovascular stents. Also called Grade 23.