Engineering Material Selector
Find the right material for your engineering application
About this Tool
This interactive tool guides you through selecting the optimal engineering material based on your application requirements. Answer a few simple questions about strength, environment, cost, and weight to get a tailored material recommendation with specifications.
How to Use
- Start by selecting your primary requirement (strength, corrosion resistance, cost, or weight)
- Answer follow-up questions about your specific application and conditions
- Review the recommended material with its properties and typical applications
- Use 'Start Over' to explore alternative materials for comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between cost and performance?
Consider the total cost of ownership, not just material cost. A more expensive material that lasts longer or requires less maintenance may be more economical over the product lifetime. Also consider failure consequences - critical applications justify higher material costs.
What if I need multiple properties?
Run through the selector multiple times with different primary requirements. Compare the recommendations and look for materials that appear in multiple paths. Often you'll need to compromise or consider surface treatments to achieve multiple goals.
Are these the only material options?
This tool covers common engineering materials. Specialized applications may require exotic alloys, composites, or ceramics not listed here. Consult with a materials engineer for critical or unusual applications.
How accurate are the property values?
The values shown are typical ranges for the material grade. Actual properties depend on heat treatment, processing, and supplier. Always verify specifications with your material supplier for critical applications.
