Bulk Modulus of Common Materials
The bulk modulus is a measure of a material’s resistance to compression under applied pressure. It is an important property in various engineering and scientific applications.
The following table provides a list of bulk modulus values for common materials, taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F).
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| Acetone | 0.92 |
| Alumina | 148 - 176 |
| Aluminum | 68 - 70 |
| Benzene | 1.05 |
| Boron Carbide (B4) | 200 - 240 |
| Brass - cast | 116 |
| Brass (70 - 30) | 108 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.32 |
| Chalk | 9 |
| Concrete | 6 - 28 |
| Copper | 123 |
| Diamond | 540 - 640 |
| Elektron (magnesium alloy) | 33 |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 1.06 |
| Gasoline | 1.3 |
| Glass | 35 - 55 |
| Glycerine / Glycerol | 4.35 |
| Granite | 50 |
| Graphite - 2H (single crystal) | 34 |
| Hexane | 0.60 |
| Iron - cast | 58 - 107 |
| Iron - malleable | 119 |
| ISO 32 Mineral Oil | 1.8 |
| Kerosene | 1.3 |
| Limestone | 65 |
| Magnesium alloy | 33.1 |
| Mercury | 28.5 |
| Methanol | 0.82 |
| Monel metal | 155 |
| Olive Oil | 1.60 |
| Paraffin Oil | 1.64 |
| Petrol | 1.07 - 1.49 |
| Phosphate Ester | 3 |
| Phosphor bronze | 112 |
| SAE 30 Oil | 1.5 |
| Sandstone | 0.7 |
| Seawater | 2.34 |
| Shale | 10 |
| Silicone Rubber | 1.5 - 2 |
| Silver | 96 - 106 |
| Sodium chloride | 24.42 |
| Solder (Tin-Lead) | 33 - 58 |
| Stainless steel (18 - 8) | 163 |
| Steel | 156 - 165 |
| Steel - cast | 139 |
| Steel - cold rolled | 159 |
| Sulfuric Acid | 3.0 |
| Tin | 42 - 60 |
| Tobin bronze | 112 |
| Toluene / Toluol | 1.09 |
| Tungsten | 307 - 314 |
| Turpentine | 1.28 |
| Water | 2.15 |
| Water - Glycol | 3.4 |
The values provided are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as composition, temperature, and processing methods.
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