Definition
nu = - lateral strain / axial strain
Material property lookup
Poissons Ratio of Common Materials
Compare typical Poissons ratio values for elastic deformation, FEA setup, and material model checks.
Instant elastic-property lookup
Select a material or case
Select a material to view its typical Poissons ratio.
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Reference table
Poissons ratio table
| Material | Group | Poissons Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Metal | 0.33 | Common aluminum reference value |
| Carbon Steel | Metal | 0.29 | Typical steel value |
| Stainless Steel | Metal | 0.30 | Typical stainless steel value |
| Copper | Metal | 0.34 | Typical copper value |
| Brass | Metal | 0.34 | Varies by alloy |
| Titanium | Metal | 0.34 | Common titanium reference value |
| Cast Iron | Metal | 0.21 | Grade dependent |
| Glass | Ceramic | 0.22 | Soda-lime glass reference |
| Concrete | Construction | 0.20 | Mix dependent |
| Rubber | Polymer | 0.49 | Nearly incompressible |
| Polycarbonate | Polymer | 0.37 | Thermoplastic reference value |
| Wood Along Grain | Wood | 0.30 | Orthotropic material; direction matters |
Formulas
Poissons ratio formulas
Elastic constants
G = E / [2(1 + nu)]
K = E / [3(1 - 2nu)]
Poissons ratio values are typical for isotropic approximations. Wood, composites, and some engineered materials require direction-specific data.
Reference
How engineers use Poissons ratio
Lateral strain
Poissons ratio describes how much a material contracts laterally when stretched axially.
FEA material models
It is commonly required with Youngs modulus for linear elastic finite element models.
Incompressibility
Values near 0.5 indicate nearly incompressible behavior, common for rubber-like materials.
Elastic conversions
Poissons ratio connects Youngs modulus, shear modulus, and bulk modulus for isotropic materials.
FAQ
Poissons ratio questions
What is Poissons ratio of steel?
A common reference value for steel is about 0.29 to 0.30.
What does a Poissons ratio of 0.5 mean?
A value near 0.5 indicates nearly incompressible behavior.
Can Poissons ratio be negative?
Some auxetic materials have negative Poissons ratio, but common engineering materials are usually positive.
Related
Common material property tables
Bulk Modulus of Common Materials
Bulk modulus values for common solids and fluids used in compressibility checks.
Density of Common Materials
Density values for metals, polymers, ceramics, and construction materials.
Friction Coefficients of Common Materials
Static and kinetic friction coefficients for common material pairs.
Hardness Conversion Table
Approximate Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, and tensile strength conversion values.
Melting Point of Common Materials
Melting point reference values for common metals, plastics, and engineering materials.
Shear Modulus of Common Materials
Shear modulus values for metals, polymers, ceramics, and construction materials.