Engineering guides
Materials & material selection
Why engineers choose one material over another: properties, environment, cost and how the part is made.
How to select the right material for a mechanical component
A step-by-step method for choosing a material from the part's function, load, environment, cost and manufacturing route, with a worked example and common specifications.5 min readSteel vs aluminium: which should your part be made from?
Steel and aluminium compared on strength, stiffness, weight, corrosion, cost and manufacturing, with a worked example on equal stiffness and the grades to specify.4 min readFerrous vs non-ferrous metals: families, properties and uses
What separates ferrous from non-ferrous metals, the main families in each group, their properties and where each is used in mechanical design.4 min readTensile strength, hardness and toughness explained
What strength, stiffness, ductility, hardness and toughness really mean, how each is measured, and which one matters for the part you are designing.5 min readCorrosion resistance: how metals corrode and how to stop it
The common types of corrosion, why some metals resist it, and how material choice, coatings and detail design keep a part working for its whole life.5 min readMaterial selection for 3D printing: PLA, PETG, ABS, nylon and more
How to choose a 3D printing material from the part's function, load, temperature, environment and finish, with a comparison table and a worked example.4 min readNeed this designed or explained for your team?
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