Tensile strength is one of the more common ways to compare how materials behave under pulling or stretching forces. In manufacturing. This chart can be useful as a starting point when comparing materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, copper alloys, engineering plastics, and reinforced composites. However, it should be noted that yield strength, hardness, ductility, corrosion resistance, weight, machinability, and operating environment can all affect whether a material is suitable for a specific application.
What is Yield Strength
Yield strength is the amount of stress a material can withstand before it begins to deform permanently. Up to this point, the material may stretch, bend, or compress and still return to its original shape when the load is removed. Once the yield strength is exceeded, the material enters plastic deformation, meaning the change in shape is permanent.
| Material | Common Grade or Condition | Typical Ultimate Tensile Strength | Typical Yield Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Steel | ASTM A36 | 400–550 MPa | 250–350 MPa |
| Low Carbon Steel | Mild steel | 370–520 MPa | 210–350 MPa |
| High Carbon Steel | AISI 1090 | 700–900 MPa | 400–650 MPa |
| Medium Carbon Steel | AISI 1045 | 565–625 MPa | 310–530 MPa |
| Alloy Steel | AISI 4140, heat treated | 655–1,020 MPa | 415–900 MPa |
| High-Strength Alloy Steel | ASTM A514 | 760–895 MPa | 690–760 MPa |
| Maraging Steel | 18Ni maraging steel | 1,700–2,100 MPa | 1,500–1,900 MPa |
| Stainless Steel | 302, cold rolled | 860–1,275 MPa | 520–965 MPa |
| Stainless Steel | 304 | 515–750 MPa | 205–300 MPa |
| Stainless Steel | 316 | 515–620 MPa | 205–290 MPa |
| Cast Iron | Gray cast iron, ASTM A48 | 140–350 MPa | Not typically defined |
| Tool Steel | D2 / A2, hardened | 1,000–2,000 MPa | 700–1,700 MPa |
| Aluminum | 6061-T6 | 290–310 MPa | 240–275 MPa |
| Aluminum | 2014-T6 | 430–485 MPa | 380–415 MPa |
| Aluminum | 7075-T6 | 500–570 MPa | 430–505 MPa |
| Titanium | Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V | 895–950 MPa | 825–880 MPa |
| Copper | C110 / 99.9% copper | 200–400 MPa | 70–350 MPa |
| Brass | Common wrought brass alloys | 250–550 MPa | 95–450 MPa |
| Bronze | Phosphor / aluminum bronze | 300–800 MPa | 125–500 MPa |
| Cupronickel | 90% Cu, 10% Ni | 300–420 MPa | 105–170 MPa |
| Tungsten | Commercial tungsten | 750–1,000 MPa | 550–750 MPa |
| Nickel Alloy | Inconel 625 | 760–830 MPa | 345–415 MPa |
| Magnesium Alloy | AZ31B | 240–290 MPa | 160–220 MPa |
| Zinc Alloy | Die-cast zinc alloys | 280–400 MPa | 210–330 MPa |
| Polypropylene | General-purpose PP | 25–40 MPa | 25–35 MPa |
| Nylon | Unfilled nylon 6/6 | 70–90 MPa | 45–85 MPa |
| Polycarbonate | General-purpose sheet or molded material | 55–75 MPa | 55–65 MPa |
| ABS Plastic | General-purpose ABS | 35–50 MPa | 30–45 MPa |
| HDPE | High-density polyethylene | 20–35 MPa | 20–30 MPa |
| Epoxy Resin | Unreinforced | 35–90 MPa | Not typically defined |
| Carbon Fiber Composite | Carbon fiber reinforced polymer | 600–3,500 MPa | Varies by layup |
| Fiberglass Composite | E-glass reinforced polymer | 300–1,500 MPa | Varies by layup |
| Glass | General glass | 30–90 MPa | Not typically defined |
| Concrete | Unreinforced concrete | 2–5 MPa | Not typically defined |
Note: Tensile strength and yield strength values are approximate reference ranges. Actual values depend on alloy, grade, temper, heat treatment, manufacturing method, sample direction, fiber orientation, and test standard. For brittle materials and some composites, yield strength may not be commonly defined the same way it is for ductile metals.
Parting Thoughts
MISUMI USA carries a wide range of industrial manufacturing components – including Metal Plates & Blocks, and Metal Cylinders & Rods – for your next project or machine fix. If you have any questions about measurement or sizing for your metal needs, feel free to connect with our product experts, and engineers. Also, if you are looking for more insights be sure to check out our other blog articles, including: Aluminum Alloy – Uses in Manfacturing, Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloys, Stress vs. Strain, and more.
Author: Scott Bredemann | Updated: 5/5/2026
Disclaimer:
The content on this webpage is for informational purposes only. MISUMI makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Performance parameters, tolerances, designs, materials, or processes should not be assumed to reflect third-party suppliers’ or manufacturers’ deliverables within MISUMI’s network. Buyers are responsible for specifying their part requirements.