Shear Modulus of Materials
Find the approximate Shear Modulus of 16 common materials used in engineering.
| Material | Shear Modulus (GPa) | Shear Modulus (MPa) | Shear Modulus (ksi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (Alloy 1100) - Pure Aluminum | 26 | 26,000 | 3,771 |
| Beryllium | 132 | 132,000 | 19,145 |
| Bronze | 40 | 40,000 | 5,802 |
| Cadmium | 18 - 20 | 18,000 - 20,000 | 2,611 - 2,901 |
| Copper | 44 | 44,000 | 6,382 |
| Diamond | 478 | 478,000 | 69,328 |
| Gold | 27 | 27,000 | 3,916 |
| Iron | 82 | 82,000 | 11,893 |
| Rubber (Natural) | 0.0005 | 1 | 0 |
| Silver | 30 | 30,000 | 4,351 |
| Steel | 80 | 80,000 | 11,603 |
| Steel (Stainless) | 76 - 86 | 76,000 - 86,000 | 11,023 - 12,473 |
| Tin | 18 | 18,000 | 2,611 |
| Titanium | 43 - 45 | 43,000 - 45,000 | 6,237 - 6,527 |
| Vanadium | 47 | 47,000 | 6,817 |
| Zinc | 39 - 43 | 39,000 - 43,000 | 5,656 - 6,237 |
Note: The listed Shear Modulus are approximate and commonly used values. The exact Shear Modulus may depend on the alloy, purity and composition of each material.
What is Shear Modulus?
The shear modulus of a material measures its resistance to shear deformation. This, in technical terms, is the ratio of shear stress to shear strain (when the material is in its elastic region). What this really represents is how rigid a material is when forces act parallel to its surface. To think of it in simple terms, imagine materials with a low shear modulus, such as jelly or soft erasers. They are very easy to deform if you twist them. High shear modulus materials, like for instance a piece of hard timber or steel, are very hard to twist sideways and hold their shape.
Materials with a High Shear Modulus
- Metals (Steel, Iron, Titanium)
- Fiber Reinforced Composites
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Concrete
- Diamond
When do engineers use Shear Modulus?
- Torsional analysis of beams or shafts
- Design of springs and fasteners
- Structural/Geotechnical analysis involving lateral loads
- Finite Element Modelling (in FEA software)
Shear Modulus vs Poisson’s Ratio
Shear modulus describes the resistance of a shape to change from parallel or adjacent loads. Poisson's ratio however, describes the lateral strain of a material due to axial loading (perpendicular loading). Both Poisson’s Ratio and Shear Modulus are elastic properties used together in material models.