Physics > Tensile Strength
The table below shows the tensile strengths of various materials. Tensile strength is a measure of the stress at which a material deforms permanently or breaks. Tensile strength of a material can be broken up into two main definitions; Yield strength is the stress at which a material deforms permanently, essentially changing from elastic to plastic deformation. The ultimate strength is the maximum stress a material can take when exposed to pressure, tension or shearing. The table also includes a measurement of the density of the material.
| Material |
Yield strength
(MPa) |
Ultimate strength
(MPa) |
Density
(g/cm³) |
| Structural Steel |
250 |
400 |
7.8 |
| High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
26-33 |
37 |
0.95 |
| Polypropylene |
12-43 |
19.7-80 |
0.91 |
| Stainless Steel |
520 |
860 |
|
| Cast Iron |
130 |
200 |
|
| Titanium Alloy |
830 |
900 |
4.51 |
| Copper |
70 |
220 |
8.92 |
| Cupronickel |
130 |
350 |
8.94 |
| Brass |
approx. 200+ |
550 |
5.3 |
| Tungsten |
|
1510 |
19.25 |
| Glass |
|
50
(in compression) |
2.53 |
| Marble |
N/A |
15 |
|
| Concrete |
N/A |
3 |
|
| Carbon Fibre |
N/A |
5650 |
1.75 |
| Pine (parallel to grain) |
|
40 |
|
| Bone (limb) |
104-121 |
130 |
1.6 |
| Nylon |
45 |
75 |
1.15 |