Yield strength chart
Typical yield and ultimate tensile strength for common engineering metals and alloys, in ksi and MPa. Use it to compare materials or to set an allowable stress with a factor of safety.
| Material | Yield (ksi) | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (ksi) | Tensile (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | 40 | 276 | 45 | 310 |
| Aluminum 7075-T6 | 73 | 503 | 83 | 572 |
| Mild steel (A36) | 36 | 250 | 58 | 400 |
| Steel 4140 (Q&T) | 95 | 655 | 110 | 758 |
| Stainless 304 | 31 | 215 | 73 | 505 |
| Stainless 316 | 30 | 205 | 75 | 515 |
| Titanium Ti-6Al-4V | 128 | 880 | 138 | 950 |
| Copper (annealed) | 10 | 70 | 32 | 220 |
| Brass (C360) | 45 | 310 | 58 | 400 |
| Cast iron (gray) | – | – | 30 | 207 |
| Magnesium AZ31B | 22 | 150 | 37 | 255 |
| Nickel 200 | 21 | 148 | 67 | 462 |
Values are representative for common tempers and conditions; heat treatment, cold work, and grade shift real properties significantly. Always design to the certified minimums for your actual material, not to a chart.
Setting an allowable stress?
Divide yield by a factor of safety to get a working stress, or use the Factor of Safety Calculator and the Stress Calculator to check a design against these values.
Yield vs tensile strength
Yield strength is the stress at which a metal starts to deform permanently; ultimate tensile is the stress at which it finally breaks. Most designs keep working stress below yield, using tensile only to understand the margin before fracture.
Reading the table for design
Stronger is not always better: 7075 aluminum beats mild steel on yield at a third the weight, but it is less weldable and more notch-sensitive. Use the numbers alongside weight, cost, and fabrication needs, not in isolation.
FAQ
What is the yield strength of mild steel?
A36 structural steel yields at about 36 ksi (250 MPa) and pulls apart near 58 ksi (400 MPa).
Which is stronger, 6061 or 7075 aluminum?
7075-T6 is far stronger, about 73 ksi yield versus 40 ksi for 6061-T6, but it is harder to weld and less corrosion-resistant.
How do I use yield strength in design?
Divide it by a factor of safety to set the maximum working stress. For a yield of 250 MPa and a factor of 2, design to 125 MPa.