ABSTRACT
The selection of a best, or at least a good, material for a design is part of every mechanical engineering project. There is much data that needs to be examined in a systematic way and various schemes for so doing have been proposed. In the particular fields of precision design and instrument engineering, the parameters chosen in these general studies may not be wholly appropriate. Also a wider range of exotic materials may become feasible when only small structures are being used. This review examines the materials property needs of precision engineering and compares graphical techniques that may be helpful in the selection process. Particular attention is given to a ‘profile’ of property groups (ratios and products). This is followed by some general observations about the applicability of a range of materials and some examples of the compromises inherent in materials selection.
