When it comes to engineering, construction, production or manufacturing, understanding the density of common materials is very important. It helps engineers to determine the material weight, strength and suitability of materials for various applications. Whether you are a designer who designing a bridge, engineer who manufacturing a machine parts, contractor who constructing a building or an mechanical engineer who making cars, for choosing the right materials the density plays a key role.
In this blog, we’ll explore the density of common materials. But first we need to understand the definition of density.
What is Density?
Density is defined as the mass of a substance per unit volume. Density is typically expressed in units such as kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
Density (ρ) = Mass / Volume
Understanding the density of materials help engineers and designers to calculate the weight of structures, suitability of material for application and ensure safety and stability in their projects.
Density of Common Materials Chart:
The density of common materials depends on temperature and pressure. The value of density of common materials based on purity, moisture content, and temperature. Here is the chart of density of common materials used by engineers and designers is given below,
Material | Density (kg/m³) | State of Matter |
Hydrogen | 0.09 | Gas |
Helium | 0.178 | Gas |
Carbon Monoxide | 1.25 | Gas |
Nitrogen | 1.251 | Gas |
Air | 1.293 | Gas |
Carbon Dioxide | 1.977 | Gas |
Lithium | 534 | Solid |
Ethanol (Grain Alcohol) | 810 | Liquid |
Benzene | 900 | Liquid |
Ice | 920 | Solid |
Water at 20°C | 998 | Liquid |
Water at 4°C | 1000 | Liquid |
Seawater | 1030 | Liquid |
Milk | 1030 | Liquid |
Coal | 1100-1400 | Solid |
Blood | 1600 | Liquid |
Magnesium | 1700 | Solid |
Granite | 2600-2700 | Solid |
Aluminum | 2700 | Solid |
Steel | 7800 | Solid |
Iron | 7800 | Solid |
Copper | 8300-9000 | Solid |
Lead | 11300 | Solid |
Mercury | 13600 | Liquid |
Uranium | 18700 | Solid |
Gold | 19300 | Solid |
Platinum | 21400 | Solid |
Osmium | 22600 | Solid |
Iridium | 22600 | Solid |
White dwarf star | 107000000 | Solid |
The density of common materials chart is used by architects to estimate the dead load of building material, mechanical engineers to determine the material strength and weight ratio, manufacturers to calculate the total material weight needed for production and students to reference the chart for assignments or laboratory work.
Understanding and using the density of common materials chart can save your time, improve safety, suitability of materials and increase the efficiency in your projects. Whether you’re a student, engineer, designer or builder this chart can be your reference in both when you are on field and during office work.