Solids and Metals - Speed of Sound

Speed of sound in solids and metals like aluminum, brass, concrete and more. Calculate and compare propagation velocities across different materials including longitudinal, shear, and extensional wave speeds.

SolidLongitudinal (m/s)Shear (m/s)Extensional (m/s)
Aluminum, rolled642030405000
Antimony3400
Beryllium12890888012870
Bismut21801790
Brass (70% Cu, 30% Zn)470021103480
Brick42003600
Cadmium27802400
Concrete37003200
Constantan517726254270
Copper, annealed476023253810
Copper, rolled501022703750
Cork518366
Diamond12000
Duralumin632031305150
Glass, heavy silicate flint398023803720
Glass, light borate crown510028404540
Glass, pyrex564032805140
Gold, hard drawn324012002030
Granite5950
Iridium4790
Iron, cast499428094480
Iron, electrolytic595032405120
Ivory3010
Lead, annealed21607001190
Lead, rolled19606901210
Lucite268011001840
Magnesium, annealed577030504940
Manganese46603830
Marble3810
Molybdenum625033505400
Monel535027204400
Nickel604030004900
Nylon 6/6262010701800
Platinum326017302800
Polyethylene1950540920
Polystyrene235011201840
Rubber, butyl1830
Rubber, gum1550
Rubber, neoprene1600
Silica, fused596837645760
Silver365016102680
Slate4510
Steel (1% C)594032205180
Steel, stainless579031005000
Tantalium3350
Tin, rolled332016702730
Titanium607031255090
Tungsten, annealed522028904620
Tungsten, drawn541026404320
Tungsten carbide665539806220
Wood (hard)3960
Wood, longitudinal parallel with grain3300-5000
Zinc, rolled421024403850
Calculator

Inputs

Results

Speed in km/h-- km/h
Speed in ft/min-- ft/min
Speed in ft/s-- ft/s
Speed in mph-- mph

About Speed of Sound in Solids

Wave Types

In a liquid or gas only one speed is required. In an isotropic solid sound speed is characterized by:

  • Longitudinal waves: Speed of longitudinal waves in infinite elements (elements much larger than the wavelength of the sound)
  • Shear waves: Speed of shear waves in infinite elements
  • Extensional waves: Speed of extensional waves along a rod (with diameter much smaller than the wavelength)

Special Cases

Wood: The speed of sound varies with grain direction because the transverse modulus of elasticity is as little as 1/20 the longitudinal value. The speed of sound across the grain is about one-fifth to one-third of the longitudinal value.

Reference Values

  • Speed of sound in normal air: 343 m/s
  • Speed of sound in water: 1433 m/s
  • 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h = 196.85 ft/min = 3.28 ft/s = 2.237 mph

Note

Note that speed is a scalar quantity. Velocity is a vector quantity with direction. Propagation velocities vary with frequencies.