This table is a data information resource for the specific gravity of many common metals. While the data is extremely useful for design, actual individual samples will probably differ. Temperature and purity will often have a definite effect. As 1000kg of pure water @ 4°C = 1 cubic meter, those materials under 1000kg per cubic meter will float; more dense materials will obviously sink. Those materials have a specific gravity more than 1. Pure water at 4°C (the maximum density) was chosen as the accepted standard for specific gravity and given the value of 1. Some other standards set pure water at 60°F as sg = 1 so it is more correct to state the base used. The specific gravity of all other materials are compared to water as a fraction heavier or fraction lighter density, no matter how small or large the fraction is. For example, beryllium has a specific gravity (sg) of 1.84 (1840 kg/m³). As specific gravity is just a comparison, it can be applied across any units. The density of pure water is also 62.4 lbs/ft³ (pounds per cubic foot) and if we know that a sample of aluminum has a sg of 2.5 then we can calculate that its density is 2.5 x 62.4 = 156 lbs/ft³. As general information, kg/m³ divided by 16.01846 = lbs/ft³.
To help with the table, unit converters are included at the top of the chart. Enter values in either side of the equation.
