Activity 5.3 Density and Uses of Common
Materials Chart
Ferrous Metals
Material
Cast Iron
Carbon Steel 1000,4000,5000
series
Stainless Steel
Density
(g/cm3)
7.2
7.85
7.9
Uses
Heavy equipment, machine frames.
Fasteners like rivets, nails, wire, chains and
machine parts. Medium carbon steel is used for
gears, shafts, tool shanks. High carbon steel is
used for screwdrivers, cutting tools, blades,
drills, springs, bearings and knives.
Sinks, cutlery, kitchen utensils, surgical tools.
Nonferrous Metals
Material
Density
(g/cm3)
Aluminum
2.71
Copper
8.79
Brass
8.48
Bronze
7.4 – 8.9
Uses
Used in chemical and food processing,
fasteners, structural members, aircraft
structural components, hardware, car and truck
wheels, decorative trim, awnings, siding,
storage tanks, boats, missiles, truck and trailer
assemblies.
Water pipes, electrical circuit boards, electrical
wire, roofing.
Jewelry, water valves, boats, fittings, hardware,
electrical sockets, bullet casings, ornaments.
Pipe fitting, statues, coins, and bearings.
Plastics
Material
Density
(g/cm3)
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene
(ABS)
1.0
Polyethylene Terephthalate
(PET)
1.39
Cellulose Acetate ( CA )
1.3
Polyamide (PA) and Nylon
1.15
Uses
Kitchenware, food processors, mixers, camera
cases, appliances and tool housings,
instrument panels, luggage, sporting goods,
safety helmets, telephones, battery cases.
Soft drink and water bottles, salad dressing and
peanut butter containers, salad domes, surf
boards.
Photo films, magnetic recording films, handles
and knobs, sheet packaging for products,
brushes, combs, textiles.
Bearings, gears, casings for power tools,
packaging for foods such as bacon and cheese.
Textiles, fishing lines, carpet, rollers and
bearings.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 5.3 Density and Uses of Common Materials Chart – Page 1
Polycarbonate (PC)
1.2
High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE)
0.95
Polypropylene (PP)
0.90
Polymethyl Methacrylate Acrylic
(PMMA)
Polystyrene (PS)
1.2
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
1.05
1.16 – 1.45
Styrene-Butadiene (SBR) Rubber
1.52
Polyester Resins
1.4
Electrical components (due to heat resistance
and insulation properties) glazing, eyewear
lenses, CDs, bullet-proof glass, theft-proof
packaging.
Food and liquid containers, squeeze-type
bottles, toys, garbage cans, milk crates,
buckets, bowls, rigid agricultural pipes, flower
pots, toys
Medical equipment, syringes, containers with
hinges, automobile ducts and trim, outdoor
carpet, string, rope, nets, crates, and
kitchenware, chip bags, straws, microwave
dishes, ice scrapers, lawn mower wheels.
Models, automobile taillights, aircraft canopies,
windows, furniture, illuminated signs.
Model kits, blister packaging, lenses, CD cases,
disposable plates, cups, utensils, sound and
heat insulation, marine applications, low cost
brittle toys, envelope windows, license plate
holders.
Film for meat packaging, pipes, gutters, bottles,
soles of shoes, cosmetic containers, electrical
conduit, blister packs, floor mats, hoses.
Sealants, adhesives, vibration mounting
materials, footwear, tires, hoses, and latex
paint.
Gears, pump impellers, lawn sprinklers, boat
and car bumpers, shell chairs, and containers.
Hardwoods
Material
Density
(g/cm3)
0.65 – 0.85
Ash
Balsa
0.16
Basswood
0.3 – 0.6
Beech
0.7 – 0.9
Cherry
Elm, American
0.57
Maple
Oak
0.6 – 0.9
Poplar
0.35 – 0.5
Walnut, American Black
0.63
Uses
Tool handles, ladders, laminating, and sports
equipment.
Commercial model making especially aero
modeling industry, sandwich construction in
aircraft and boats.
Commercial model making, carving and pattern
making.
Chairs, toys, tool handles, turnings, steam
bending
Solid wood for furniture.
General furniture construction, garden furniture,
and turned items.
Solid wood for furniture.
General furniture construction and veneer
plywood. Boat building, garden furniture, and
posts.
General furniture construction and model
construction.
Veneer and solid wood for furniture, handles
such as gun stocks.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 5.3 Density and Uses of Common Materials Chart – Page 2
Mahogany
0.5 -0.85
Solid wood for furniture.
Density
(g/cm3)
Uses
Softwoods
Material
Cedar, western red
0.38
Outdoor furniture and siding, posts.
Fir/Hemlock
0.50
Residential construction.
Pine
0.35 – 0.50
Finish construction work, trim, furniture.
Note: Material densities can vary widely. These densities are provided for reference
only.
Material uses charts can be found in Chapter Eleven of the text listed below.
Hutchinson, J. & Karsnitz, J.R. (1997). Design and problem solving in technology.
Glencoe McGraw-Hill.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 5.3 Density and Uses of Common Materials Chart – Page 3