opensolids 0.2.3

Open solid material properties with provenance and provider backends

OpenSolids

OpenSolids is a Python library for temperature-dependent solid material properties with explicit provenance and provider-based data ingestion.

It is built for solver workflows that need curves like k(T), cp(T), E(T), and sigma_y(T) instead of fixed constants.

Why OpenSolids Exists

Most engineering calculations need properties that change with temperature, not single constants. OpenSolids was created to make those curves easy to access from Python while keeping source/provenance information visible.

Who This Is For

• Propulsion engineers (regen cooling, chamber/nozzle thermal-structural studies)
• Mechanical/materials engineers (strength margins and thermal stress studies)
• Students and independent builders who want reusable material-property tooling

What You Can Use It For

• Evaluate temperature-dependent conductivity, heat capacity, modulus, and strength
• Compare materials across multiple data providers in one script
• Build design sweeps and trade studies with consistent APIs and units
• Keep source attribution attached to the data you use in analysis

Install

pip install opensolids

For plot-generating examples:

pip install "opensolids[viz]"

Quick Start

import opensolids as osl

mat = osl.material("nist-cryo:aluminum-6061-t6")
print(mat.k(300.0))
print(mat.E([77.0, 150.0, 293.15], units="GPa"))
print(mat.eps_th(120.0, T_ref=293.15))

API Overview

• Material lookup: osl.material(material_id)
• Search: osl.search(query)
• Provider list: osl.list_providers()
• Property calls: mat.k(T), mat.cp(T), mat.E(T), mat.sigma_y(T), ...
• Out-of-range policy per call: policy="clamp" | "raise" | "extrapolate"
• Units conversion per call: units="MPa", units="GPa", etc.

Units

OpenSolids stores and serves curves in canonical SI units internally:

• k: W/(m*K)
• cp: J/(kg*K)
• rho: kg/m^3
• E, sigma_y, sigma_uts: Pa
• alpha: 1/K
• nu, eps_th: 1

Material Catalog

Bundled material inventory:

• https://github.com/mind874/OpenSolids/blob/main/docs/materials/material_catalog.csv

Visual Outputs

Thermal conductivity comparison (NTRS copper alloys)

Yield strength comparison (NTRS + MIL)

Out-of-range policy behavior

Multi-database 6061 workflow

Documentation

• Usage guide: https://github.com/mind874/OpenSolids/blob/main/docs/usage-guide.md
• Examples: https://github.com/mind874/OpenSolids/blob/main/examples/README.md
• Compliance notes: https://github.com/mind874/OpenSolids/tree/main/docs/compliance
• Source repository: https://github.com/mind874/OpenSolids

License

OpenSolids is licensed under GPL-3.0-only.