Metallguide

Metallguide is a term used to describe a reference resource that consolidates information about metals and alloys. It may be a book, database, or web resource designed to support material selection, design, and processing decisions in engineering and manufacturing.

Content typically includes chemical composition, physical properties (density, melting point, thermal and electrical conductivity, hardness), mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, impact resistance, fatigue properties), corrosion resistance, heat treatment response, machinability, and standard specifications (ASTM, ISO, SAE). It may also cover alloy classifications, production methods, and common applications.

Formats and access: historically printed handbooks; today online databases and apps with search, filters, cross-references, and downloadable data sheets. Some resources include material property charts, alloy grade comparisons, and safety data. Updates reflect new alloys, standards, and production technologies.

Use and audience: used by engineers, designers, machinists, researchers, and students to select materials, predict performance, and plan manufacturing processes. It complements textbooks and industry standards.

Etymology and scope: Metallguide is a compound word from metal and guide; not a single fixed publication, but a generic label for reference works in metallurgy. There are similar widely known resources such as the ASM Handbook, MatWeb, and Matmatch that serve similar purposes.