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Alloy Densities

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ColinPearson

Petroleum
May 1, 2011
142
Hello folks, Happy Friday!
Does anyone know where to find densities of various steel alloys? Carbon and some flavors of stainless are pretty easy to come by but I'd like to know how the density various with the different Incos, chromes, etc. MY immediate question today is SA387 11 12 but I've had the question in general for a while now. Thanks!
 
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0.3 lbf/in3

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
 
Use MATWeb.com. That's got the density of just about every standard alloy and, maybe, some non-standard alloys.


Tunalover
 
Often for certain applications the physical and mechanical properties used for analysis purposes are required to come from a specific source, such as MMPDS-01. Most of the imperial unit density values for metals listed in MMPDS-01 are given to 3 decimal places, so they are quite precise. But what does the customer expect?

I recall a recent NASA program I did some work on where the material density used in any analysis or model had to match the value given on a material properties list provided by the program office to 3 decimal places. Using 0.3lb/cu in rather than the listed value of 0.297lb/cu in was not acceptable. It seemed a bit extreme, but that's what the customer demanded so that's what we used.
 
Thanks all for your help, it seems I'm a little late to the matweb party!

@tbuekna, I work with cranes planning our company's heavy lifts and even with these fairly large-scale objects, I need to parse the difference between materials to a few decimal places. a stainless lining on a carbon steel vessel for example, or the difference between a carbon steel vessel getting replaced with a 1.5Cr.


Cheers y'all.
 
In times past, I have seen some stainless steel weights/square foot that varied depending on the thickness. I could only assume that they were making some allowance for thickness variations in addition to the theoretical density.

Speaking of which, depending on your application, that thickness tolerance may be significant. For example, if I remember right, the allowable mill tolerance on a 0.25" plate is about 0.04" over and 0.01" under, so weight could vary +16%/-4%, in which case, carrying density to 3 decimal places doesn't accomplish a whole lot.

Paint could add another 2% or so on a plate of that thickness.

Don't forget the buoyant effects of air and variations in gravitational attraction!
 
Since you are asking regarding an ASME spec, then you should be made aware that density information is available in ASME Section II, Part D.
 
calculating with a density to 3 decimal places makes sense if you're using a large volume; however, i think there a real world variations that make for large error bands.

calculating weight to three decimal places is quite pointless.

if you need a highly accurate weight, you're better off weighing the individual parts. i'd be surprised if the difference from 0.3 lbs/ft3 is significant.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
 
rb1957- I want me some of that 0.3 lbs/ft3 stainless steel![cheers]
 
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