How to Add Custom Material in SOLIDWORKS
Contents
Custom materials in SOLIDWORKS let you store material properties that are not available in the default library. They are useful for company standards, supplier-specific materials, plastics, alloys, composites, and simulation-ready material data.
Create a custom material library
Open the material editor and create or select a custom material library. Avoid editing the default SOLIDWORKS material library directly unless your workflow specifically requires it.
A separate library is easier to back up, share, and protect from software updates or accidental changes.
If several people use the same materials, store the custom library in a controlled shared location. This prevents each workstation from drifting into a different set of material definitions.
Add a new material
Create a new category or select an existing category, then add the custom material. Give it a clear name that includes the grade, standard, or supplier designation when those details matter.
Good names prevent confusion between similar materials with different density, strength, or thermal properties.
Include enough information to identify the material later. A name like Aluminum is often too vague, while a grade or standard gives the material useful meaning.
Enter material properties
Add properties such as density, elastic modulus, Poisson ratio, yield strength, thermal conductivity, and specific heat as needed. The required properties depend on how the material will be used.
If the material is only for mass properties, density may be the most important value. If it will be used for simulation, the mechanical and thermal data must be more complete and reliable.
Pay close attention to units when entering values. A property copied from a datasheet may need conversion before it belongs in the SOLIDWORKS material editor.
Use reliable data
Use trusted engineering sources for custom material data. Supplier datasheets, material standards, and validated internal data are better than guessed values.
Document the source of the material properties when possible. This is especially important for simulation, compliance, or production engineering work.
If a property is unknown, do not fill it with a guessed value just to complete the table. Missing data is easier to notice than bad data that appears official.
If other users need the same materials, place the custom library in a shared location and update SOLIDWORKS file locations. Otherwise, another computer may open the model without access to the same material definition.
For released drawings, include the material name and specification in the drawing or custom properties so the requirement is clear even outside the CAD library.
Back up the custom material file with project or company standards. Losing a custom library can make older models harder to interpret or reproduce.
Troubleshooting
If a custom material does not appear, check the material library path and file permissions. If properties are missing, edit the material and confirm the correct tab or property set is filled in.
Before using a custom material in calculations or simulation, review units and values carefully. A density or modulus entered in the wrong unit can make results meaningless.
Keep custom libraries organized and backed up. A reliable material library saves time and reduces mistakes across parts, drawings, BOMs, and simulation studies.
Review custom materials periodically. Remove duplicates, correct unclear names, and update properties when a material standard or supplier data changes.
When a custom material is used in a released design, make sure the drawing or product documentation identifies the same material. The CAD library should support the design record, not be the only place where the material requirement exists.
For simulation, run a quick sensitivity check if the material data is approximate. If a small change in modulus, conductivity, or density changes the conclusion, better material data may be needed before making a design decision.
After creating the material, apply it to a simple test part and check mass properties. This confirms that the library entry is readable and that density units behave as expected.
