Materials / Compare
Brass C260 vs. Steel AISI 4340
Compare Brass C260 vs. Steel AISI 4340 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) | 1,035MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 427MPasourcenominal, strip/flat | 1,140MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Elongation at break | 23%sourcenominal, in 2.0 in., strip/flat | 18%sourcetypical, transverse |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 110GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 200GPasourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Density | 8,525kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,840kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 40.5kN·m/kg | 132kN·m/kg3.26x 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) | 0.32sourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Shear modulus | 41.2GPa | 75.7GPa1.84x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 115GPa | 185GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,597m/s | 5,049m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 121W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 37.5W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 20µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 11.3µm/m·Ksourcemean, -18 to 93 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 100µm growth | 56.5µm growth1.77x less |
| Specific heat | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 448J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 37.7mm²/s3.54x faster | 10.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 12,510W/m7% more resistant | 11,678W/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) | Carpenter (Latrobe) Lescalloy 4340 VAC-ARC datasheet; mechanical row for 1100 °F temper; physical properties grade-level |
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 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,035 MPa against 345 MPa for Brass C260 (3x).
Which is lighter, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is lighter: 7,840 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.
Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for Brass C260, so the same part in Steel AISI 4340 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or Steel AISI 4340?
For the same stiffness or strength: Steel AISI 4340 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 4340 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.97x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 46% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 33% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.26x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2.26x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 1.88x 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 4340?
Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 37.5 W/m·K for Steel AISI 4340.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel AISI 4340 expands less: 11.3 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Brass C260.