Materials / Compare
Brass C260 vs. Steel AISI 1045
Compare Brass C260 vs. Steel AISI 1045 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) | 531MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 427MPasourcenominal, strip/flat | 627MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn |
| Elongation at break | 23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flat | 12%sourcein 2 in (50.8 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 210GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 8,525kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,800kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 40.5kN·m/kg | 68.1kN·m/kg1.68x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 12.9MN·m/kg | 26.9MN·m/kg2.08x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products) | 0.3sourcetypical |
| Shear modulus | 41.2GPa | 80.8GPa1.96x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 115GPa | 175GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,597m/s | 5,189m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 40–45W/m·Ksourcetypical range, ambient |
| Thermal expansion | 20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 12µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C1.67x less |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 100µm growth | 60µm growth1.67x less |
| Specific heat | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcetypical range, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 37.7mm²/s3.25x faster | 11.6mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 12,510W/m2x more resistant | 6,269W/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) | AISI 1045 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle) for mechanical; Ovako C45 (lists 'SAE 1045' as a similar designation) for physical constants |
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 AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 is stronger: its yield strength is 531 MPa against 345 MPa for Brass C260 (1.54x).
Which is lighter, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 is lighter: 7,800 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.
Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 is stiffer: Young's modulus 210 GPa against 110 GPa for Brass C260, so the same part in Steel AISI 1045 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 1045?
For the same stiffness or strength: Steel AISI 1045 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 AISI 1045 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 2.08x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 1.51x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 35% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.68x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 46% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 36% 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 AISI 1045?
Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 42.5 W/m·K for Steel AISI 1045.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel AISI 1045 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Brass C260.