"The easy answer is Google. If I know nothing about a topic and want to get a few general pointers that will take me to more narrowly tailored technical resources, or read a layman's explanation of something, there is nothing wrong with starting with a Google search. I always look to see what the source of the answer is, and I am looking for it to be something other than a Reddit forum or a 'Citizen Q&A' forum of any kind. I am looking for university, science or technical organizations, or writers with verifiable credentials who have posted the sources they used. If I am looking at a set of materials properties that I found in this way, it is only going to be a general guide to me, and I am going to be looking for sufficient definition of test methods and conditions to be able to interpret what I am seeing. In parallel, I would check out databases from organizations like ASM, the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, and other vetted, responsible collators of data. In addition, if we are talking about a very specific alloy, I have found that the manufacturer's own data is a reliable source of information on the exact material you want to know about. Sometimes, the information simply doesn't exist and you either have to extrapolate from a similar material whose data you do have, or even generate your own data if you have the facilities. If not, and if it is important enough, you could potentially require the supplier to do the testing that you need done, or even contract with an independent laboratory. There are plenty of ways to get data. But I think you really have to be careful to verify the quality of the source and how well the data applies to your situation."
