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Brass C260 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6

Compare Brass C260 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Brass C260Wrought
Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength345MPasourcenominal, strip/flat, 0.5% extension (not 0.2% offset)90MPasourcetypical, dry
Ultimate tensile strength427MPasourcenominal, strip/flatnot sourced
Elongation at break23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flat10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry
Young's modulus (stiffness)110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent3.5GPasourcetypical, dry
Density8,525kg/m³sourcenominal1,130kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight40.5kN·m/kg79.6kN·m/kg1.97x higher
Stiffness to weight12.9MN·m/kg4.18x higher3.1MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products)0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus41.2GPa32.9x stiffer in shear1.25GPa
Bulk modulus115GPa5.83GPa
Speed of sound3,597m/s1,760m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing100µm growth5.1x less510µm growth
Specific heat377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)37.7mm²/s220x faster0.172mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance12,510W/m251x more resistant49.9W/m
Melting point916–954°Csourcesolidus-liquidus220°CsourceDSC
Max service temperaturenot sourced87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
Values forC26000 cartridge brass, H02 half hard flat/strip: CDA Electronic Connector Design Guide (mechanical) + CDA alloy page (physical)BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)

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 Nylon PA6?

Brass C260 is stronger: its yield strength is 345 MPa against 90 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA6 (3.83x).

Which is lighter, Brass C260 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.

Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Brass C260 is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, so the same part in Brass C260 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C260 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beBrass C260Plastic Nylon PA6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter4.18x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)34% heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate2.39x heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie1.97x heavierlighter
Strong beam3.08x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate3.85x 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 Nylon PA6?

Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which expands less with temperature?

Brass C260 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

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 PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic 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 Nylon PA6
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 PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic 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 Nylon PA6
Strength against density

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