Appendix B – Sound Velocities
Part # 910-250C
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Appendix B – Sound Velocities
The following table lists the ultrasonic velocity in a variety of common materials. This is
only a guide. The actual velocity in these materials may vary significantly due to a variety
of causes, such as, composition, preferred crystallographic orientation, porosity, and
temperature. For maximum accuracy, establish the sound velocity in a given material by
first testing a sample of the material.
Material V(in./µsec) V(m/sec)
Acrylic resin (Perspex)
0.107 2730
Aluminum
0.249 6320
Beryllium
0.508 12900
Brass, naval
0.174 4430
Copper
0.183 4660
Diamond
0.709 18000
Glycerin
0.076 1920
Inconel®
0.229 5820
Iron, Cast (slow)
0.138 3500
Iron, Cast (fast)
0.220 5600
Iron oxide (magnetite)
0.232 5890
Lead
0.085 2160
Lucite®
0.106 2680
Molybdenum
0.246 6250
Motor oil (SAE 20/30)
0.069 1740
Nickel, pure
0.222 5630
Polyamide (slow)
0.087 2200
Nylon, fast
0.102 2600
Polyethylene, high density (HDPE)
0.097 2460
Polyethylene, low density (LDPE)
0.082 2080
Polystyrene
0.092 2340
Polyvinylchloride, (PVC, hard)
0.094 2395
Rubber (polybutadiene)
0.063 1610
Silicon
0.379 9620
Silicone
0.058 1485
Steel, 1020
0.232 5890
Steel, 4340
0.230 5850
Steel, 302 austenitic stainless
0.223 5660
Steel, 347 austenitic stainless
0.226 5740