5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)
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 5052-H32 stronger than Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (1.59x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Brass C360?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Brass C360?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 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 5052-H32
Brass C360
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.3x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.7x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.84x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.99x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.32x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.51x 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 5052-H32 or Brass C360?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 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 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.