Temperature dependence of the physical properties of 17 materials selected from the following classes of materials has been determined: steels, cast irons, nickel-base alloys, titanium alloys, Fe-Ni alloys (INVAR), copper alloys and aluminium-base alloys. The physical properties measured include density, modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, coefficient of linear thermal expansion, heat capacity, specific heat, electrical resistivity and thermal diffusivity. The data enable comparison of various classes of materials to be made with respect to their physical properties, not only qualitatively but also quantitatively. The data are meant to assist the designer in selecting the right class of materials or a right material from a given class of materials for the intended purpose.