Materials database

Super-austenitic stainless steel (Fe-31Ni-27Cr-3.5Mo-1Cu) with ultra-low carbon. Exceptional resistance to sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and chloride stress corrosion cracking. Solution-annealed: Rm 500–750 MPa, Rp0.2 ≥220 MPa, A ≥35%. Density 8.0 g/cm³, PREN ~39–47. UNS N08028, ASTM B709/B668. Applications: phosphoric acid evaporators, sulfuric acid piping, oil/gas sour service (NACE MR0175), seawater heat exchangers, nuclear fuel reprocessing. Alleima trade name Sanicro 28.

Super austenitic Ni-Cr-Mo alloy — Ni 31%, Cr 27%, Mo 6.5%. Between 926 (Ni 25%) and C-276 (Ni 57%) in the alloy hierarchy. PREN >50. Outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and SCC in highly aggressive chloride and acid environments. Used for FGD scrubbers, phosphoric acid production, sulfuric acid condensers, and seawater systems. Trade name: Nicrofer 3127 hMo (VDM).

Iron-nickel-chromium alloy (Fe-32Ni-21Cr) with controlled carbon (0.05–0.10%) and grain size for optimized creep-rupture strength above 600°C. Solution-annealed: Rm ≥450 MPa, Rp0.2 ≥170 MPa, A ≥30%. Density 7.94 g/cm³, E-Modul 196 GPa. Excellent resistance to carburization, oxidation, and nitriding to 1100°C. UNS N08810, ASTM B407/B408/B409. Applications: ethylene cracking tubes, reformer furnace tubes, heat exchangers, nuclear steam generators, chemical reactors. Variant 800HT (N08811/1.4959) has tighter Al+Ti control for even higher creep strength.

Non-oxide ceramic with the highest thermal conductivity among electrical insulators (170–230 W/m·K). Excellent dielectric properties, CTE closely matching silicon wafers (4.5×10⁻⁶/K). Density 3.3 g/cm³, flexural strength 300–400 MPa, hardness 11 GPa. Alternative to toxic BeO in semiconductor packaging. Applications: power electronic substrates (IGBT, MOSFET), LED heat sinks, laser diode mounts, microwave components, electrostatic chucks.

The most widely used engineering ceramic. Alpha-phase alumina (99.5% Al2O3) offers exceptional hardness (1440 HV), excellent dielectric properties, high compressive strength (2600 MPa), good thermal conductivity (35 W/m·K), and outstanding chemical resistance. Usable to 1750°C. Applications include wear pads, seal rings, substrates, thread guides, grinding media, furnace tubes, ballistic armor, and high-voltage insulators. Available in purities from 94% to 99.8%.

High-purity magnesium die casting alloy optimized for energy absorption and ductility. 6% Al content provides a balance between strength and elongation (8-12%), superior to AZ91D for crash-relevant parts. Excellent corrosion resistance through strict Fe/Ni/Cu control. Not weldable. Used for automotive seat frames, steering wheel cores, instrument panel supports, pedal brackets, and wheel components where impact resistance is critical. The ductile alternative to AZ91D. DIN: 3.5662, EN: MC 21230.

UV-resistant alternative to ABS — acrylic rubber replaces butadiene for excellent weatherability. Retains color and gloss outdoors for years without coating. Similar mechanical properties to ABS but with 10× better UV resistance. Trade names: Luran S (BASF/INEOS), Geloy (SABIC). Used for automotive exterior trim, outdoor electrical housings, garden furniture, and building cladding.

Powder metallurgy high speed steel by Erasteel (now Zapp). Co-free PM-HSS with excellent combination of wear resistance and toughness. C 1.28%, Cr 4.2%, Mo 5.0%, W 6.4%, V 3.1%. Hardness 64–67 HRC. Superior carbide distribution vs conventional HSS. Applications: end mills, drills, taps, broaches, cold forging punches, fine blanking tools. Alternative to M42 and S390.

The most common structural carbon steel in the US. Low carbon content with good weldability and machinability. Used for buildings, bridges, construction equipment, and general structural purposes. Minimum yield strength 36 ksi (250 MPa).

The most widely used structural steel grade in the United States. 345 MPa (50 ksi) yield strength HSLA steel. Has largely replaced A36 for structural applications due to higher strength-to-weight ratio. Used for building frames, bridges, heavy equipment, and general structural fabrication.

High-strength low-alloy weathering steel. Forms a stable protective rust patina eliminating the need for paint. Cu-Cr-Ni-V composition provides 4-8x atmospheric corrosion resistance vs carbon steel. Used for unpainted bridges, architectural facades, sculptures, outdoor structures, and freight cars.

The most widely used wrought magnesium alloy. Available as sheet, plate, bar, and extrusion. 3% Al + 1% Zn gives good room-temperature strength and ductility with excellent weldability (TIG/MIG). Density 1.78 g/cm³. An alternative to aluminum where weight reduction is critical. Used for aircraft fuselage panels, electronic device housings (laptops, smartphones), lightweight jigs and fixtures, vibration-damping components, and rapid prototyping. Strain-hardened tempers (H24, H26) provide higher strength. DIN: 3.5312.

The most widely used magnesium die casting alloy worldwide. High-purity variant (D suffix) with strict Fe, Ni, Cu limits for excellent corrosion resistance. 9% Al + 1% Zn provides good castability, strength, and dimensional stability. Density only 1.81 g/cm³ — 35% lighter than aluminum. Not weldable. Used for automotive transmission cases, engine covers, steering components, laptop and smartphone housings, power tool casings, and camera bodies. The industry standard for Mg die casting. DIN: 3.5912, EN: MC 21120.

Low-carbon unalloyed steel. Excellent weldability, good formability, and low hardness. Used for pins, rivets, bushings, case-hardened parts with thin case depth, and general cold-formed components. Can be case-hardened for surface wear resistance.

Highest-carbon unalloyed spring/tool steel — C 0.95-1.05%. Maximum hardness (HRC 63-66) in the unalloyed range. On the boundary between spring steel and tool steel. Used for flat springs requiring absolute maximum hardness, doctor blades, cutting tools, cold stamping dies, and wood-working saw blades. Also known as Silberstahl (silver steel) in wire form.

Lowest practical carbon case-hardening steel — 0.07-0.13% C. After carburizing: hard surface (HRC 55-60) with extremely soft, tough core (HRC 15-20). Maximum impact absorption. Modern designation for Ck10. Used for pins, bushings, small gears, camshaft lobes, and any carburized part where maximum core toughness and ductility are critical. Also used as cold-heading and deep-drawing wire/strip.

Low-carbon unalloyed case-hardening steel. The simplest and most economical case-hardening grade. Used for lightly loaded gears, pins, bushings, rivets, and small machine parts where a hard wear-resistant surface with a soft tough core is needed.

Low-carbon unalloyed case hardening steel — 0.12-0.18% C. Between C10E (softer core) and C22E (harder core) in the case-hardening range. Good balance of surface hardness (HRC 58-62) and core toughness after carburizing. Modern designation for Ck15. Used for small gears, pins, bushings, levers, and carburized parts where moderate core strength is acceptable. Also used for cold forming and deep drawing.

Low-carbon unalloyed steel for case hardening (carburizing). 0.17-0.23% C gives a tough core with a hard, wear-resistant surface after carburizing + quenching. The simplest and cheapest case-hardening steel. Used for pins, bushings, cam followers, light-duty gears, and general machine parts where a hard surface with tough core is needed. ≈ AISI 1020.

Low-medium carbon unalloyed steel. Good balance of strength, weldability, and formability. Used for lightly loaded shafts, bolts, levers, and general machine parts. Can be case-hardened for wear applications. Between C10 and C35 in properties.

Low-carbon unalloyed steel for case hardening and general engineering — 0.17-0.24% C. After carburizing: surface HRC 55-60, soft tough core. Much cheaper than alloy case-hardening steels (16MnCr5, 20MnCr5). Modern designation for Ck22. Used for pins, bolts, levers, lightly loaded gears, and any carburized part where alloy additions are not justified. Also used as cold-heading wire.

Unalloyed special steel with controlled sulfur (R grade, S 0.020–0.040%) and ~0.22% carbon for improved machinability. Same base composition as C22E but with intentional sulfur for better chip formation. Good weldability and formability. Used for automatically machined low-stress components, bolts, pins, and bushings.

Medium-carbon unalloyed quality steel with 0.22–0.29% carbon. Good machinability and moderate strength in normalized condition. Standard P and S limits (less pure than C25E). Used for bolts, nuts, levers, shafts, and general machine parts not requiring high strength. Can be surface-hardened by induction or flame hardening.

Unalloyed special steel with controlled chemistry (E grade) and ~0.25% carbon. Tighter P and S limits (max 0.025%) than standard C25 for improved consistency. Suitable for quenching and tempering to moderate strength levels. Good machinability and weldability. Used for shafts, bolts, transmission parts, crankshafts, and machine components of moderate stress.