Chemical & Materials
Ashby Materials Lab
How do you choose a material? On Ashby's modulus-density chart, drag the selection guideline for your design case — a light stiff tie (E/ρ), beam (E½/ρ) or panel (E⅓/ρ) — and every material above the line is a candidate, lighting up green. The guideline tilts steeper for beams and panels, which is exactly why balsa and carbon-fibre composite outrank steel for a light stiff beam even though steel is far stiffer. The materials are coloured by family so the metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and woods cluster the way they do in real design charts.
Beam (E½/ρ)
Design case
14
Above guideline
Balsa
Best overall
Design case
Each design case has its own "best material" index. Slide the guideline up and the materials still above it are your candidates — and the line tilts steeper for beams and panels, which is exactly why balsa and CFRP beat steel for a light stiff beam even though steel is stiffer.
How to use this simulation
How do you choose a material? On Ashby's modulus-density chart, drag the selection guideline for your design case — a light stiff tie (E/ρ), beam (E½/ρ) or panel (E⅓/ρ) — and every material above the line is a candidate, lighting up green. The guideline tilts steeper for beams and panels, which is exactly why balsa and carbon-fibre composite outrank steel for a light stiff beam even though steel is far stiffer. The materials are coloured by family so the metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and woods cluster the way they do in real design charts.
Everything runs in your browser — no sign-up, no download. Change a value and the result updates instantly, so you can build a feel for how each input shapes the outcome. It pairs with Crameleon's practice exams and step sheets when you want to go from intuition to working the problems.