Tools used to visualize property space; condense data and show correlations.

Material Property Charts

Measure of stiffness/rigidity; relationship between stress and strain in elastic region.

Young’s Modulus (E)

Very stiff, resists stretching/bending strongly (e.g., steel).

High E

Flexible, deforms easily under load (e.g., rubber).

Low E

Mass per unit volume; high = heavy (tungsten), low = light (foam).

Density (ρ)

Plots stiffness vs density; metals = stiff/heavy, foams = flexible/light.

Modulus-Density Chart

Force a material withstands before breaking (MPa).

Strength

Compares strength-to-weight ratio; carbon fiber = strong + light, steel = strong + heavy.

Strength-Density Chart

Amount of strain before permanent deformation; high = flexible (springs), low = stiff (beams).

Yield Strain

Stiffness per unit weight; higher = better for lightweight design.

Specific Modulus

Strength per unit weight; composites dominate top-right region.

Specific Strength

Ability to resist crack growth; metals = ductile, ceramics = brittle.

Fracture Toughness (K₁c)

Damping ability; high = absorbs vibration quickly.

Loss Coefficient (η)

Rate of heat transmission through material.

Thermal Conductivity (λ)

Speed of heat propagation during temperature change.

Thermal Diffusivity (α)

How much a material expands when heated.

Thermal Expansion (α)

Highest safe operating temperature before creep, breakdown, or reaction.

Maximum Service Temperature

Ability to store electrical energy.

Dielectric Constant

Maximum electric field before breakdown.

Dielectric Strength

Magnetization remaining after removing magnetic field.

Remanent Induction (Br)

Field required to remove magnetization; low = soft magnets, high = hard magnets.

Coercive Field (Hc)

Change in size/shape when exposed to magnetic field.

Magnetostriction

Total energy to produce a material (mining, processing, transport).

Embodied Energy

Compares stiffness vs energy cost; best = stiff but low embodied energy.

Modulus vs Embodied Energy

Compares strength vs energy cost; best = strong but low energy cost.

Strength vs Embodied Energy

Compares strength vs cost; stronger materials usually cost more.

Price per Unit Volume