Engineering Resources

Engineering Data
Engineering Reference Handbook
How to Specify Custom Parts

Engineering Data

Dimensioning Symbols
Finish Abbreviations
Material Characteristics—Non-Metals
Material Characteristics—Metals
Material Finish Characteristics
Material & Finish Specifications
Metric Conversion Table
Screw Size & Decimal Equivalent Charts
Standard Manufacturing Thicknesses
Table of Properties—Metallic Materials
Table of Properties—Non–Metallic Materials
Workmanship Acceptance Standards
Material Characteristics - Metallic

Aluminum

2024
  • Non-magnetic
  • Aircraft Grade
  • 1/3 the weight of steel
  • Heat treat to increse hardness
  • Good electrical conductivity (30% of copper)
  • Good heat conductivity (70 BTU/hr/ft2/°F/ft)
  • Anodizing increases corrosion resistance & is available in many colors


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    6061 & 7075
  • Aircraft grade
  • Heat treat to increase hardness


    		•

    1100, 3003, 5052
  • Commercial (common) alloys
  • Not heat treatable
  • Gasket material—softer alloys


    		•
    Beryllium Copper

    Alloy 25
  • Electrical alloy
  • Good electrical conductivity (17-22% of copper)
  • Good heat conductivity (68 BTU/hr/ft2/°F/ft)
  • Age hardenable (easy to form in annealed state but can be hardened afterward thru heat treating)
  • Non-magnetic & corrosion resistant
  • Extensively used for springs, spring washers & clips
  • Good plating base


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    Brass

    Alloy 260, 70/30, Copper/Zinc
  • Non-magnetic
  • Good electrical conductivity (26% of copper)
  • Good heat conductivity (70 BTU/hr/ft2/°F/ft)
  • Spring temper provides a flatter part and a cleaner cut than half hard or soft tempered
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Excellent plating base


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    Copper

    Alloy 110, Electrical tough pitch, 99.9% Copper
  • Non-magnetic
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Best electrical grade copper
  • Best electrical conductivity (100% of copper)
  • Best thermal conductivity (225 BTU/hr/ft2/°F/ft)
  • Good plating base
  • Excellent sealing capability


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    Phos. Bronze

    Grade A, Spring temper
  • Non-magnetic
  • Fair corrosion resistant
  • Fair for electrical applications (15% of copper)
  • High strength
  • High temperature resistance
  • Good bearing surface
  • Good spring material


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    Steel

    Low Carbon, CRS, Commercial Quality
  • 0.010 or above #4 temp (¼H)
  • Below 0.010 #1 temp (FH)
  • Inexpensive
  • General Applications
  • Good plating base material (magnetic & it will corrode)
  • Fair electrical conductor (12% of copper)
  • High strength for cost


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    Stainless Steel

    300 Series
  • 0.010 or above (Annealed)
  • 0.005-0.009 (HH)
  • .001-.004 (FH)
  • Slightly magnetic, least magnetic in annealed condition
  • General applications
  • Greater strength than steel
  • Excellent corrosion resistance


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    400 Series
  • Steel & Plate vs. Stainless—in many instances, a steel part with the additional plating process changes are the same


    		•
    Spring Steel
    High Carbon

    1074/1075 - 0.005 & above
  • May be heat treated to increase hardness
  • Can be formed easily in annealed state then hardened through heat treating
  • Used for springs, spring washers & clips


    		•
    Titanium

    AMS-4900
  • Commercial pure
  • Extreme high temperature applications
  • High strength to weight ratio
  • Mainly used in aircraft
  • Quite expensive
  • Corrosion resistant



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