Comprehensive Material Properties Glossary
Welcome to the ultimate guide for understanding material properties! This glossary covers 25 essential terms, including their definitions and standard testing methods. Use this as a quick reference to better understand materials’ behavior under various conditions.
Key topics include:
- Thermal and electrical properties
- Mechanical strength and flexibility
- Fire resistance and safety ratings
- Material toughness and durability
Scroll down to explore the full glossary and dive deeper into each property.
Arc Resistance
Definition: The time a material resists forming a surface-conducting path when subjected to an arc of high voltage and low current.
Tests: ASTM D495
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Definition: The tendency of a material to expand when heated, quantified as the fractional change in size per degree of temperature change.
Tests: ASTM E831 (TMA), ASTM D696, ISO 11359
Deflection Temperature
Definition: The temperature at which a polymer or plastic sample deforms under a specified load in a three-point configuration.
Tests: ASTM D648, ISO 75
Dielectric Constant
Definition: A measure of a material’s ability to resist the formation of an electric field. High values indicate the ability to hold large charges.
Tests: IEC 250, ASTM D150
Dielectric Strength
Definition: The maximum voltage per unit thickness a material can handle before electrical breakdown occurs.
Tests: IEC 243, ASTM D149
Dissipation Factor
Definition: The percentage of electrical energy lost when electrical current is applied to an insulating material.
Tests: IEC 250, ASTM D150
Elongation
Definition: The percentage increase in length of a material when placed under tension.
Tests: ASTM D638, ISO 527
Flame Spread
Definition: A measure of a material’s tendency to transmit fire to other materials, quantified by factors like flame height and burning rate.
Tests: ASTM E84
Flammability Rating
Definition: A classification of how easily a material catches fire, with ratings such as 94HB, 94V-2, 94V-0, and 94-5VB.
Tests: UL 94
Flexural Modulus
Definition: The ratio of stress to strain in a material under flexural deformation, indicative of how much the material bends.
Tests: ISO 178, ASTM D790
Flexural Strength
Definition: The measure of a material’s ability to resist deformation when under load.
Tests: ISO 178, ASTM D790
Hardness
Definition: A measure of how resistant a material is to various kinds of permanent shape change when a force is applied.
Tests: Rockwell E, Rockwell M, Rockwell R, Rockwell L, Shore A, Shore D
Impact Strength
Definition: The toughness of a material, measured by its ability to absorb energy during deformation.
Tests: ASTM D256, ISO 180
Specific Gravity
Definition: The ratio of the density of a material to the density of water at the same temperature.
Tests: ASTM D792, ISO 1183
Specific Volume
Definition: The ratio of a substance’s volume to its mass; it is inversely proportional to density.
Tests: ASTM D792, ISO 1183
Thermal Conductivity
Definition: The rate of heat flow through a material per unit thickness per degree of temperature difference across the thickness.
Tests: ASTM C177, ISO 8302
Tensile Modulus
Definition: The ratio of stress to elastic strain in a material in tension; lower values indicate a material stretches more.
Tests: ASTM D638, ISO 527
Tensile Strength
Definition: The force per unit area required to break a material by stretching.
Tests: ASTM D638, ISO 527
Volume Resistivity
Definition: The insulating material’s ability to resist leakage current.
Tests: ASTM D257, IEC 93
Water Absorption
Definition: The percentage increase in weight of a material after exposure to water under specified conditions.
Tests: ASTM D570, ISO 62
Yield Strength
Definition: The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.
Tests: ASTM E8
Creep Resistance
Definition: The ability of a material to resist long-term deformation under sustained load.
Tests: ASTM E139
Poisson’s Ratio
Definition: The ratio of transverse strain to axial strain in a material under tension.
Tests: ASTM E132
Thermal Shock Resistance
Definition: The ability of a material to withstand rapid temperature changes without damage.
Tests: ASTM C1525
Wear Resistance
Definition: The ability of a material to resist wear and tear during surface contact with other materials.
Tests: ASTM G65