Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Brass C260
Compare Aluminum vs. Brass C260 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 | 345MPasourcenominal, strip/flat, 0.5% extension (not 0.2% offset) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 427MPasourcenominal, strip/flat |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flat |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal3.16x lighter | 8,525kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg2.53x higher | 40.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg1.96x higher | 12.9MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 41.2GPa1.6x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 115GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,597m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C38% more heat through a fin | 121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 100µm growth18% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.83x faster | 37.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m1.53x more resistant | 12,510W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 916–954°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | C26000 cartridge brass, H02 half hard flat/strip: CDA Electronic Connector Design Guide (mechanical) + CDA alloy page (physical) |
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 stronger than Brass C260?
Brass C260 is stronger: its yield strength is 345 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum (25%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Brass C260?
Aluminum is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Brass C260?
Brass C260 is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in Brass C260 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Brass C260?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 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 | Brass C260 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.96x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.48x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.69x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.53x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.72x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.82x 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 or Brass C260?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 121 W/m·K for Brass C260.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C260 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum.