Materials / Compare
Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Brass C360
Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Brass C360 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 310MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 400MPasourcetypical29% stronger |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal3.15x lighter | 8,498kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg2.8x higher | 36.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg2.23x higher | 11.4MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 36GPa40% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 101GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,370m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C44% more heat through a fin | 116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 103µm growth15% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.91x faster | 36.2mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m1.6x more resistant | 11,997W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 888–899°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (12%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Brass C360?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Brass C360?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 6061-T6 | Brass C360 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2.23x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.65x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.8x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.8x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.91x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.97x heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Brass C360?
Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 116 W/m·K for Brass C360.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C360 expands less: 20.5 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.