Young's modulus of elasticity, usually denoted E, is a fundamental mechanical property of materials. It measures the ability of a material to resist deformation under tensile or compressive stress. Mathematically, it is the ratio of stress (force per unit area) to strain (proportional deformation in a material). This parameter provides important insights into the stiffness, elasticity, and overall mechanical properties of a material, especially for metals and alloys subjected to mechanical loads.
For reference, Alfa Chemistry provides the modulus of elasticity of some common metals at various temperatures (106 psi) according to [ASME B31.1-1995].
| Metals and Alloys | Temperature (℃) | ||||||||||||||
| -200 | -129 | -73 | 21 | 93 | 149 | 204 | 260 | 316 | 371 | 427 | 482 | 538 | 593 | 649 | |
| Temperature (oF) | |||||||||||||||
| -325 | -200 | -100 | 70 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1100 | 1200 | |
| Cast Iron | |||||||||||||||
| Gray cast iron | 13.4 | 13.2 | 12.9 | 12.6 | 12.2 | 11.7 | 11 | 10.2 | |||||||
| Steel | |||||||||||||||
| Carbon steel (C≤0.3%) | 31.4 | 30.8 | 30.2 | 29.5 | 28.8 | 28.3 | 27.7 | 27.3 | 26.7 | 25.5 | 24.2 | 22.4 | 20.4 | 18 | |
| Carbon steel (C≥0.3%) | 31.2 | 30.6 | 30 | 29.3 | 28.6 | 28.1 | 27.5 | 27.1 | 26.5 | 25.3 | 24 | 22.2 | 20.2 | 17.9 | 15.4 |
| Carbon-molybdenum steels | 31.1 | 30.5 | 29.9 | 29.2 | 28.5 | 28 | 27.4 | 27 | 26.4 | 25.3 | 23.9 | 22.2 | 20.1 | 17.8 | 15.3 |
| Nickel steels (Ni 2~9%) | 29.6 | 29.1 | 28.5 | 27.8 | 27.1 | 26.7 | 26.1 | 25.7 | 25.2 | 24.6 | 23 | ||||
| Cr-Mo steels (Cr 0.5~2%) | 31.6 | 31 | 30.4 | 29.7 | 29 | 28.5 | 27.9 | 27.5 | 26.9 | 26.3 | 25.5 | 24.8 | 23.9 | 23 | 21.8 |
| Cr-Mo steels (Cr 2.25~3%) | 32.6 | 32 | 31.4 | 30.6 | 29.8 | 29.4 | 28.8 | 28.3 | 27.7 | 27.1 | 26.3 | 25.6 | 24.6 | 23.7 | 22.5 |
| Cr-Mo steels (Cr 5~9%) | 32.9 | 32.3 | 31.7 | 30.9 | 30.1 | 29.7 | 29 | 28.6 | 28 | 27.3 | 26.1 | 24.7 | 22.7 | 20.4 | 18.2 |
| Chromium steels (Cr 12%, 17%, 27%) | 31.2 | 30.7 | 30.1 | 29.2 | 28.5 | 27.9 | 27.3 | 26.7 | 26.1 | 25.6 | 24.7 | 23.2 | 21.5 | 19.1 | 16.6 |
| Austenitic steels (TP304, 310, 316, 321, 347) | 30.3 | 29.7 | 29.1 | 28.3 | 27.6 | 27 | 26.5 | 25.8 | 25.3 | 24.8 | 24.1 | 23.5 | 22.8 | 22.1 | 21.2 |
| Copper and Copper Alloys | |||||||||||||||
| Comp. and leaded-Sn bronze (C83600, C92200) | 14.8 | 14.6 | 14.4 | 14 | 13.7 | 13.4 | 13.2 | 12.9 | 12.5 | 12 | |||||
| Naval brass Si&Al bronze (C46400, C65500, C95200, C95400) | 15.9 | 15.6 | 15.4 | 15 | 14.6 | 14.4 | 14.1 | 13.8 | 13.4 | 12.8 | |||||
| Copper (C11000) | 16.9 | 16.6 | 16.5 | 16 | 15.6 | 15.4 | 15 | 14.7 | 14.2 | 13.7 | |||||
| Copper red brass Al-bronze (C10200, C12000, C12200, C12500, C14200, C23000, C61400) | 18 | 17.7 | 17.5 | 17 | 16.6 | 16.3 | 16 | 15.6 | 15.1 | 14.5 | |||||
| Nickel and Nickel Alloys | |||||||||||||||
| Monel 400 (N04400) | 27.8 | 27.3 | 26.8 | 26 | 25.4 | 25 | 24.7 | 24.3 | 24.1 | 23.7 | 23.1 | 22.6 | 22.1 | 21.7 | 21.2 |
| Titanium | |||||||||||||||
| Unalloyed titanium (Grades 1, 2, 3 and 7) | 15.5 | 15 | 14.6 | 14 | 13.3 | 12.6 | 11.9 | 11.2 | |||||||
| Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys | |||||||||||||||
| Grades 443, 1060, 1100, 3003, 3004, 6063 | 11.1 | 10.8 | 10.5 | 10 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 8.7 | ||||||||
- 1 psi (lb/in2) = 6,894.8 N/m2 (Pa)
- T(℃) = 5/9[T(℉) - 32]
What Are the Factors that Affect Young's Modulus?
- Material Composition - Pure metals usually exhibit predictable moduli, while alloys may vary depending on composition and microstructure.
- Temperature - Young's modulus typically decreases with increasing temperature, reflecting the reduction in atomic bonding at high temperatures.
- Crystal Structure - Metals with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, such as aluminum, have a lower modulus than body-centered cubic (BCC) metals, such as iron.
Young's modulus is widely used in engineering and materials science to predict deformation behavior under applied forces. It is critical for structural analysis, material selection, and the design of components that must withstand varying loads without significant deformation. Its utility extends to aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and manufacturing.
