Performance Indices

Reference Booklet

Kaitlin Tyler and Harriet Parnell

Ansys Academic Development Team

© 2022 ANSYS, Inc. ED U CAT I O N R E SO U R C E S

About Performance Indices
During materials selection, one needs to optimize the performance of the material based on the design
requirements. When using the Ashby Selection methodology1, these criteria are determined via the
Objectives and are used during the Ranking stage.

We can determine the performance of the material by defining a performance equation. The general
form of this equation can be found elsewhere. When focusing on the material properties segment of this
performance equation, this can be called a material index or a performance index. These material indices
help us determine how well a specific material that has passed the screening stage will perform during
ranking1.

As stated in our materials selection whitepaper2 and Prof. Ashby’s textbooks1,3, the constraints defined
during the translation step of the selection methodology set property limits. In some cases, the objectives
are separate from the constraints, which leads to single material property performance indices (i.e. if
the performance of a beam is measured by its stiffness, the performance equation contains only one
property, the elastic modulus E). In other situations, the constraints and objectives are coupled, which
leads to a group of multiple properties. Familiar examples are the specific stiffness, E/ρ, and the specific
strength, σy/ρ, (where E is Young’s modulus, σy is the yield strength or elastic limit, and ρ is the density),
but there are many others. They are a key to the optimal selection of materials.

In this Booklet
This booklet provides pre-derived performance indices for a variety of conditions. A breakdown of the
conditions can be found in the interactive table of contents on the next page.

By separating our performance equation into the function, geometry, and material elements, we can
consider the material choice independently of other design factors1. This gives the indices found in this
booklet great generality, which can be incredibly beneficial during the early stages of design. To truly
consider all aspects of the performance, including function and geometry, one should turn to additional
steps such as simulation or prototyping to ensure an optimal overall design.

References and Additional Texts

1. Ashby MF, “Materials Selection in Mechanical Design”, 5th edition, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann,
Oxford, UK, 2016.

2. Parnell, H, Tyler, K, "Granta EduPack White Paper: Material Selection", Ansys

3. Ashby MF, “Materials and the Environment”, 2nd Edition, Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford,
UK, 2012.

4. Goedkoop, M.J., Demmers, M. and Collignon, M.X. “Eco-Indicator ‘95, Manual”, Pré Consultants, and
the Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment, Amersfort, Holland (1995), ISBN 90-72130-80-
4.

2 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

Booklet Contents

Use the interactive table below to access the different performance indices by type. References shown
in the tables can be found under the references section.

The symbols list can be found by clicking here.

Embodied Carbon
Mass Cost
Energy Footprint

Stiffness-limited
Design kg $ Hm CO2
Strength-limited
Design kg $ Hm CO2

Vibration-limited Damage-tolerant Abrasion-resistant

Design Design Design

Thermo-mechanical Electro-mechanical Vapor barrier

Design Design Design

Strength-limited
design to optimize
performance

3 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Stiffness-limited design at minimum mass
Function and Constraints* Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free; buckling
stiffness limited
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length, wall-
Shaft in
thickness fixed;
torsion outer radius free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free

Back to Contents

4 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints* Maximize Minimize

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Collapse load, length

Panel in
and width fixed;
compression thickness free

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed; wall-

thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
external limited
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

* to minimize volume, replace density ρ by 1 (one). 1,2,3

Back to Contents

5 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Stiffness-limited design at minimum cost
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free; buckling
stiffness limited
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length, wall-
Shaft in
thickness fixed;
torsion outer radius free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free

Back to Contents

6 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Collapse load, length

Panel in
and width fixed;
compression thickness free

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed; wall-

thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
external limited
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Back to Contents

7 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Stiffness-limited design at minimum energy
Function and Constraints1 Maximize2 Minimize3

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free; buckling
stiffness limited
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length, wall-
Shaft in
thickness fixed;
torsion outer radius free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free

Back to Contents

8 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Collapse load, length

Panel in
and width fixed;
compression thickness free

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed; wall-

thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
external limited
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Back to Contents

9 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Stiffness-limited design at minimum environmental impact
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free; buckling
stiffness limited
Length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Length, wall-
Shaft in
thickness fixed;
torsion outer radius free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free

Back to Contents

10 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Collapse load, length

Panel in
and width fixed;
compression thickness free

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed; wall-

thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
external limited
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Back to Contents

11 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Strength-limited design at minimum mass
Function and Constraints*,† Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section shape

fixed; section area
free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free; buckling stiffness
limited
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free
Length, wall-thickness
Shaft in
fixed; outer radius
torsion free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Back to Contents

12 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints*,† Maximize Minimize
Length, width fixed;
thickness free
Panel in
Length, width,
compression
thickness free;
buckling strength fixed

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure
Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
limited
external
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed;
thickness free;
angular velocity
Flywheel/ limited
rotating disk
Thickness fixed;
angular velocity,
radius free

* to minimize volume, replace density ρ by 1 (one). 1,2,3

† For design for infinite fatigue life, replace σy by the fatigue strength (endurance limit) σE.

Back to Contents

13 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Strength-limited design at minimum cost
Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section shape

fixed; section area
free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free; buckling stiffness
limited
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free
Length, wall-thickness
Shaft in
fixed; outer radius
torsion free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Back to Contents

14 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize
Length, width fixed;
thickness free
Panel in
compression Length, width,
thickness free;
buckling strength fixed

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure
Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
limited
external
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed;
thickness free;
angular velocity
Flywheel/ limited
rotating disk
Thickness fixed;
angular velocity,
radius free

† For design for infinite fatigue life, replace σy by the fatigue strength (endurance limit) σE.

Back to Contents

15 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Strength-limited design at minimum energy
Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section shape

fixed; section area
free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free; buckling stiffness
limited
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free
Length, wall-thickness
Shaft in
fixed; outer radius
torsion free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Back to Contents

16 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize
Length, width fixed;
thickness free
Panel in
Length, width,
compression
thickness free;
buckling strength fixed

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure
Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
limited
external
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed;
thickness free;
angular velocity
Flywheel/ limited
rotating disk
Thickness fixed;
angular velocity,
radius free

† For design for infinite fatigue life, replace σy by the fatigue strength (endurance limit) σE.

Back to Contents

17 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Strength-limited design at minimum environmental impact
Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize

Tie in Length fixed; section

Tension area free

Length, section shape

fixed; section area
free
Length fixed; section
Column in area and section
compression shape free
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free; buckling stiffness
limited
Length, section shape
fixed; section area
free
Length, wall-thickness
Shaft in
fixed; outer radius
torsion free
Length, outer radius
fixed; wall-thickness
free
Length, shape fixed;
section area free
Length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
width free
Beam in
Length, thickness
bending fixed; width, section
shape free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free
Length, width, section
shape fixed; thickness
free

Panel in Length fixed, width

bending fixed; thickness free

Back to Contents

18 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints† Maximize Minimize
Length, width fixed;
thickness free
Panel in
Length, width,
compression thickness free;
buckling strength fixed

Single-
curvature Radius fixed; wall-
shell under thickness free
linear load

Dome under Radius fixed; wall-

central load thickness free

Cylinder
Radius fixed; wall-
with internal thickness free
pressure
Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
Sphere with buckling stiffness
limited
external
pressure Radius fixed; wall-
thickness free;
buoyancy limited

Sphere with
Radius fixed; wall-
internal thickness free
pressure

Radius fixed;
thickness free;
angular velocity
Flywheel/ limited
rotating disk
Thickness fixed;
angular velocity,
radius free
† For design for infinite fatigue life, replace σy by the fatigue strength (endurance limit) σE.

Back to Contents

19 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Strength-limited design for maximum performance
springs, hinges, etc.
Function and Constraints†,ˠ Maximize Minimize
Diaphragm
Maximum deflection
with
under specified
pressure pressure or force
difference

Minimum contact
Knife edge/
area, maximum
pivot bearing load and H and 1/H

Maximum
Static seal conformability; limit
on contact pressure and 1/E and E

Elastic hinge Optimize flexibility;

with small thickness fixed;
deformation length, width free

Elastic hinge Optimize flexibility;

with large thickness fixed;
deformation length, width free

Elastic hinge Optimize flexibility;

with axial thickness fixed;
load length, width free

Back to Contents

20 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints†,ˠ Maximize Minimize

Optimize volume;
maximum stored
elastic energy per
unit

Spring
Optimize mass; all
dimensions free;
maximum stored
elastic energy per
unit mass

† For design for infinite fatigue life, replace σy by the fatigue strength (endurance limit) σE.
ˠ To minimize cost, use the above criteria for minimum weight, replacing density ρ by Cmρ, where Cm is
the material cost per unit mass
To minimize embodied energy or CO2 footprint, use the above criteria for minimum mass, replacing ρ
by Hmρ or CO2ρ, where Hm is the embodied energy content per unit mass and CO2 is the CO2 footprint
per unit mass
References1,2,3

Back to Contents

21 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Vibration-limited design
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length fixed; section
area and section
Tie in shape free
Tension Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length fixed; section
area and section
shape free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length fixed; section
area, section shape
free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
Beam in width free
bending Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, thickness,
fixed; width, section
shape free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, width fixed;
thickness, section
shape free

Back to Contents

22 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize
Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, section
shape fixed; section
area free
Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length fixed; section
area, section shape
free
Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, thickness,
section shape fixed;
Beam in width free
bending Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, thickness
fixed; width, section
shape free
Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, width,
section shape fixed;
thickness free
Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, width fixed;
thickness, section
shape free
Optimize for
resonant frequency;
length, width fixed;
Panel in thickness free
bending Optimize for
vibration amplitude;
length, width fixed;
thickness free

Back to Contents

23 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Damage-tolerant design
Function and Constraints*,ˠ Maximize Minimize
Maximize flaw
tolerance and
and and
strength; load limited
Damage design
tolerance Maximize
(for ties, flaw tolerance
columns, and strength; and and
shafts, beams, displacement limited
panels, design
springs, etc.) Maximize flaw
tolerance and
and and
strength; energy
limited design

Yield-before-break
limited
Pressure
Vessel
Leak-before-break
limited

Resistance to fast
fracture; blade
length, defect size
Rotating fixed
Blade Resistance to
centrifugal loading;
blade length, defect
size fixed

* to minimize volume, replace density ρ by 1 (one). 1,2,3

ˠ To minimize cost, use the above criteria for minimum weight, replacing density ρ by Cmρ, where Cm is
the material cost per unit mass
To minimize embodied energy or CO2 footprint, use the above criteria for minimum mass, replacing ρ
by Hmρ or CO2ρ, where Hm is the embodied energy content per unit mass and CO2 is the CO2 footprint
per unit mass

Back to Contents

24 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Abrasion resistant design
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Optimizing resistance
Blunt to yielding
contact,
static load Optimizing resistance
to cracking

Optimizing resistance
Blunt to yielding
contact,
Optimizing resistance
sliding load to cracking

Optimizing resistance
Sharp
to yielding
contact,
static load
Optimizing resistance
to cracking

Back to Contents

25 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Thermal and Thermo-mechanical design
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Thermal Optimize thermal

stability; temperature
insulation, difference, time
transitional fixed; thickness free

Optimize energy
consumption per
= =
Thermal cycle; temperature
rise, cycle time fixed;
insulation, wall thickness free
cyclic Optimize mass;
heating temperature rise, =
cycle time, wall
thickness fixed

Thermal Optimize mass;

minimum heat flux
insulation, at steady state;
steady state thickness specified

Maximum heat flux

per unit area; no
failure under Δp
Optimize mass;
Heat
maximum heat
exchanger flux per unit
tubes mass; pressure
and temperature
difference, tube
radius fixed; wall
thickness free

Back to Contents

26 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Optimize energy
stored for given = =
Short-term temperature rise and
thermal time
energy Maximize energy
storage stored for given
temperature rise and
time

Long-term
Maximum energy
thermal
stored / unit material
energy cost (storage heaters)
storage

Minimize thermal
Thermal
distortion for given
stability heat flux

Thermal Maximum change in

shock surface temperature;
resistance no failure

Maximum heat flux

per unit volume;
expansion limited
Heat Sinks
Maximum heat
flux per unit mass;
expansion limited

Back to Contents

27 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Electro-mechanical design
Function and Constraints Maximize Minimize

Minimum life-
Bus-bars cost; high current
conductor

Minimum response
time; no fatigue
failure
Relay arms
Minimum ohmic
losses; no fatigue
failure

Optimize
electromagnetic
Radome absorption; pressure
difference, radius
fixed; thickness free

Electro-
magnet Maximum short-
windings, pulse field; no
short pulse mechanical failure
length
Electro-
magnet Maximize field and
windings, pulse-length, limit on
long pulse temperature rise
length
Maximum rotational
speed; no fatigue
High speed failure
motor
Minimum ohmic
windings
losses; no fatigue
failure

Back to Contents

28 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Vapor Barrier Design

Vapor barrier design at minimum mass

Function and Constraints Maximize*,ˠ Minimize*,ˠ

Permeability resistance
GAS/VAPOR (O2), area fixed,
BARRIER thickness free
(not subject
to significant Permeability resistance
loads) (H2O vapor), area fixed,
thickness free

* to minimize volume, replace density ρ by 1 (one). 1,2,3

ˠ To minimize cost, use the above criteria for minimum weight, replacing density ρ by Cmρ, where Cm is
the material cost per unit mass
To minimize embodied energy or CO2 footprint, use the above criteria for minimum mass, replacing ρ
by Hmρ or CO2ρ, where Hm is the embodied energy content per unit mass and CO2 is the CO2 footprint
per unit mass

Back to Contents

29 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

Vapor barrier design at minimum permeability (O2)

Function and Constraints Maximize+ Minimize+

Stiffness limited, area

GAS/VAPOR fixed, thickness free
BARRIER
(loaded in Strength limited, area
tension) fixed, thickness free

Stiffness limited, area

fixed, thickness free

Strength limited, area

GAS/VAPOR fixed, thickness free
BARRIER
(loaded in Buckling stiffness
limited, area fixed,
compression)
thickness free
Buckling strength
limited, area fixed,
thickness free

Stiffness limited, area

fixed, thickness free
GAS/VAPOR
BARRIER Strength limited, area
(loaded in fixed, thickness free
bending) Elastic flexibility
limited, area fixed,
thickness free

+
To minimize permeability (H2O vapor), use the above criteria for minimum permeability (O2),
replacing Oxygen permeability PO2 by VTR, where VTR is the water vapor transmission rate

Back to Contents

30 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Symbols used in performance indices for materials
Units (US
Category Property Symbol Units (Metric)
Customary)
Density ρ kg/m3 lb/in3

General Price Cm currency/kg currency/lb.

Shape Factor φ dimensionless dimensionless
Young’s modulus E GPa 106 psi
Shear modulus G GPa 106 psi

Bulk modulus K GPa 106 psi

Flexural modulus Ef GPa 106 psi

Poisson’s ratio ν dimensionless dimensionless

Failure strength
σy MPa ksi
(Yield, fracture)
Fatigue strength σe MPa ksi
Mechanical
Compression
σc MPa ksi
strength
Flexural strength
(modulus of σf MPa ksi
rupture)
Hardness H Vickers Vickers
Fracture
K1c MPa.m1/2 ksi.in1/2
toughness
Loss coefficient
η dimensionless dimensionless
(damping capacity)
Thermal
λ W/m.K BTU.ft/h.ft2
conductivity
Thermal diffusivity a m2/s ft2/s

Specific heat Cp J/kg.K BTU/lb.F

Thermal
Thermal expansion
α K-1 °F-1
coefficient
Difference
in thermal Δα K-1 °F-1
conductivity

Back to Contents

31 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

 Units (US
Category Property Symbol Units (Metric)
Customary)
Electrical
ρe µΩ.cm µΩ.cm
resistivity
Dielectric
constant (relative εr dimensionless dimensionless
Electrical permittivity)
Dissipation factor
(dielectric loss tanδ dimensionless dimensionless
tangent)
Energy required
per unit mass to
Hm MJ/kg kcal/lb
produce material
(embodied energy)
Eco-properties CO2 footprint (CO2
mass produced
per unit mass CO2 kg/kg lb/lb
of material
produced)
Oxygen
PO2 cm3.mm/(m2.day.atm) cm3.mm/(m2.day.atm)
permeability
Diffusion
Water vapor
VTR g.mm/(m2.day) g.mm/(m2.day)
transmission rate

Back to Contents

32 © 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK

© 2022 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.

Use and Reproduction

The content used in this resource may only be used or reproduced for teaching
purposes; and any commercial use is strictly prohibited.

Document Information
This booklet is part of a set of teaching resources to help introduce students to
materials, processes and rational selections.

Ansys Education Resources

To access more undergraduate education resources, including lecture presentations with
notes, exercises with worked solutions, MicroProjects, real life examples and more, visit
www.ansys.com/education-resources.

ANSYS, Inc. If you’ve ever seen a rocket launch, flown on an airplane, driven a car, used a computer, touched
Southepointe a mobile device, crossed a bridge or put on wearable technology, chances are you’ve used a
2600 Ansys Drive product where Ansys software played a critical role in its creation. Ansys is the global leader
in engineering simulation. We help the world’s most innovative companies deliver radically
Canonsburg, PA 15317
better products to their customers. By offering the best and broadest portfolio of engineering
U.S.A. simulation software, we help them solve the most complex design challenges and engineer
724.746.3304 products limited only by imagination.
ansysinfo@ansys.com
visit www.ansys.com for more information

Any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are
registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or
other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

© 2022 ANSYS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2022 ANSYS, Inc. GRANTA EDUPACK