Abstract Materials-handling equipment means to most people a conveyor for carrying solids, but the author defines it also as a pump for handling liquids or a steel cylinder for tranporting gases. The material used in the construction of such equipment must meet a wide variety of conditions. The author discusses wood, concrete, glass, rubber, copper, lead, nickel, aluminum, and iron and steel. The fundamental research initiated within the last ten years by the large steel companies furnishes a foundation which few other industries possess for the production of many new alloys.