DSN-1510

Grand Rapids, MI
Design Practice Page Revision
1 of 3 B

Densities of
Various Materials

Effective
Prepared By: Engineering Illustration Date : 10 Nov 99
Approval
Approved By: Engineering Illustration s/ R. Combs Date :
10 Nov 99

Corporate Engineering Standards ES Form 43 Rev A

 DSN-1510
Grand Rapids, MI
Design Practice Page Revision
2 of 3 B

Foreword
The following data is offered as design information for Steelcase product designers. The data is
taken from the following sources:
- Machinery's Handbook, 23rd Edition
- Mark's STANDARD HANDBOOK for MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, pp. 6-173 to 6-175.
- ANSI A208.1
- Pioneer Plastics Corporation (through Mike Mercier)
- WilsonArt Inc. (through Mike Mercier)

The values shown in this document are either the exact value stated in the reference books or the
mean value, where a range of numbers is stated in the books.

Suggestions for improvement to this Design Guide are welcomed, and should be sent to
Technical Composition and Publishing, Mail Code CD-5E-12, Steelcase Inc., Grand
Rapids, Michigan 49501. Suggestions should be detailed and include rationale for revising the
Guide. Revisions to this Guide will be made on a periodic basis.

(Note: This document was originally numbered and released as DSN-1452. That number was
already assigned by WM to another documnet. DSN-1510 is correct.)

Corporate Engineering Standards ES Form 43 Rev A

 DSN-1510
Grand Rapids, MI
Design Practice Page Revision
3 of 3 B

Densities of
Various Materials

Density
Density Thermoplastics (measured in
Metals (measured in pounds/cu. inch)
pounds/cu. inch)
Polyethylene (High-Density) .034
Aluminum .098 Polyethylene (Low-Density) .033
Brass .296 Polypropylene .033
Bronze .317 Cellulose Acetate .047
Chromium .250 Rigid Vinyl .050
Copper .321 Plasticized Vinyl .045
Iron, cast .267 Nylon 6, 6 .040
Iron, wrought .284 Lucite/Plexiglass .043
Lead .410 Teflon .078
Magnesium .063 Polystyrene (gen. purpose) .038
Nickel .318 Polystyrene (high-impact) .037
Silver .378 ABS .039
Steel, carbon .283
Tin .263
Zinc .257

Table for calculating weight of an

object for various thicknesses of
Medium Density Particleboard
Density when the area is known.
Miscellaneous
(measured in Weight
Materials
pounds/cu. inch) Thickness (measured in
pounds/sq. inch)
Medium Density
.026 .625 .0163
Particleboard
.750 .0195
Kraft Backing Sheet .875 .0228
.00005
1.000 .0260
High Pressure 1.125 .0293
Laminate Sheet .004 1.250 .0326
1.375 .0358
1.437 .0374

Corporate Engineering Standards ES Form 43 Rev A