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Brass C260 vs. Plastic HDPE

Compare Brass C260 vs. Plastic HDPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Brass C260Wrought
Plastic HDPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength345MPasourcenominal, strip/flat, 0.5% extension (not 0.2% offset)24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength427MPasourcenominal, strip/flatnot sourced
Elongation at break23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flatnot sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527
Density8,525kg/m³sourcenominal950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183
Strength to weight40.5kN·m/kg1.6x higher25.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight12.9MN·m/kg13.7x higher0.947MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products)0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Shear modulus41.2GPa130x stiffer in shear0.316GPa
Bulk modulus115GPa2GPa
Speed of sound3,597m/s973m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Thermal expansion20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing100µm growth6x less600µm growth
Specific heat377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)37.7mm²/s181x faster0.208mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance12,510W/m220x more resistant56.9W/m
Melting point916–954°Csourcesolidus-liquidusnot sourced
Values forC26000 cartridge brass, H02 half hard flat/strip: CDA Electronic Connector Design Guide (mechanical) + CDA alloy page (physical)LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO 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 Brass C260 stronger than Plastic HDPE?

Brass C260 is stronger: its yield strength is 345 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (14.4x).

Which is lighter, Brass C260 or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.

Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or Plastic HDPE?

Brass C260 is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Brass C260 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or Plastic HDPE?

For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C260 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie; Plastic HDPE is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beBrass C260Plastic HDPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter13.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter23% heavier
Stiff panel or plate1.81x heavierlighter
Strong rod or tielighter1.6x heavier
Strong beam1.52x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate2.37x heavierlighter

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, Brass C260 or Plastic HDPE?

Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Brass C260 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VNickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrass C260Plastic HDPE
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VNickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickBrass C260Plastic HDPE
Strength against density

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