Poisson's Ratio of Common Materials
Reference table for Poisson's ratio (ν) across metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites
Poisson's Ratio Comparison Table
| Material | ν (Poisson's Ratio) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 0.33 |
| Steel (Carbon) | 0.30 |
| Stainless Steel | 0.30 |
| Copper | 0.34 |
| Brass | 0.33 |
| Bronze | 0.34 |
| Nickel | 0.31 |
| Titanium | 0.32 |
| Cast Iron | 0.28 |
| Glass (Soda-Lime) | 0.22 |
| Borosilicate Glass | 0.20 |
| Quartz | 0.17 |
| Alumina (Ceramic) | 0.23 |
| Silicon Carbide | 0.14 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | 0.42 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 0.42 |
| Polystyrene (PS) | 0.34 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 0.37 |
| Epoxy Resin | 0.35 |
| Concrete | 0.20 |
| Wood (Along Grain) | 0.35 |
| Wood (Across Grain) | 0.25 |
| Bricks | 0.20 |
| Aluminum Alloy 6061 | 0.33 |
| Magnesium | 0.35 |
| Zinc | 0.25 |
| Lead | 0.44 |
| Tungsten | 0.28 |
| Gold | 0.42 |
| Silver | 0.37 |
Poisson's Ratio Comparison Chart
About Poisson's Ratio
Poisson's ratio (ν) is a fundamental material property that describes the lateral deformation of a material under axial stress. It is defined as the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain when a material is stretched or compressed:
ν = - εlateral / εlongitudinal
In simpler terms, Poisson's ratio indicates how a material changes shape when subjected to forces. A higher value means the material tends to expand more sideways when stretched (common in polymers and rubbers), while a lower value indicates minimal lateral expansion (common in ceramics and glass).
Importance of Poisson's Ratio in Engineering
Poisson's ratio is crucial for understanding and predicting material behavior in various engineering applications:
- Structural Engineering: Ensuring accurate stress-strain predictions in beams, plates, and shells.
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Modeling elastic deformation and load distribution in components.
- Mechanical Design: Designing safe and reliable parts that undergo tension, compression, or bending.
- Materials Selection: Choosing appropriate metals, ceramics, polymers, or composites based on elastic behavior.
- Stress and Strain Calculations: Assessing dimensional changes and deformation under operational loads.
Understanding Poisson's ratio helps engineers ensure that components meet performance requirements, safety standards, and design specifications, making it an essential property in mechanical, structural, and materials engineering.