The modulus of elasticity (Young modulus) measures a material stiffness: how much it resists elastic deflection under load. This chart compares common engineering materials.
| Material | GPa | Mpsi |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon and alloy steel | 200 | 29 |
| Stainless steel | 193 | 28 |
| Cast iron (gray) | 100 to 150 | 15 to 22 |
| Titanium | 110 | 16 |
| Copper | 117 | 17 |
| Brass | 100 to 110 | 15 to 16 |
| Bronze | 100 to 120 | 15 to 17 |
| Aluminum | 69 | 10 |
| Magnesium | 45 | 6.5 |
| PEEK | 3.6 | 0.52 |
| Acetal (Delrin) | 3.1 | 0.45 |
| Polycarbonate | 2.3 | 0.33 |
| ABS | 2.3 | 0.33 |
| Nylon | 2 to 3 | 0.3 to 0.43 |
| UHMW | 0.7 | 0.10 |
| PTFE | 0.5 | 0.07 |
Stiffness, not strength. Modulus is about deflection, not breaking. Steel is about three times as stiff as aluminum, so an aluminum part of equal size flexes far more under the same load.
See the Yield Strength Chart and the Stress Calculator.
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