Materials / Compare
Brass C260 vs. Steel
Compare Brass C260 vs. Steel 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 | 345MPasourcenominal, strip/flat, 0.5% extension (not 0.2% offset) | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 427MPasourcenominal, strip/flat | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flat | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 8,525kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 40.5kN·m/kg | 49kN·m/kg21% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 12.9MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg1.97x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 41.2GPa | 76.9GPa1.87x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 115GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,597m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 100µm growth | 60µm growth1.67x less |
| Specific heat | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 37.7mm²/s2.9x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 12,510W/m2.32x more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Melting point | 916–954°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | C26000 cartridge brass, H02 half hard flat/strip: CDA Electronic Connector Design Guide (mechanical) + CDA alloy page (physical) | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 345 MPa for Brass C260 (12%).
Which is lighter, Brass C260 or Steel?
Steel is lighter: 7,850 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.
Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for Brass C260, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: Steel 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 | Brass C260 | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.97x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 46% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 32% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 21% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 17% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 15% heavier | lighter |
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 Steel?
Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Brass C260.