C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values
Ultimaker PETG, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v1.00, April 29, 2022.
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.
Plastic PETG is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Brass C360 stronger than Plastic PETG?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (6.71x).
Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG is lighter: 1,270 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Plastic PETG?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 or Plastic PETG?
For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C360 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending); Plastic PETG is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Brass C360
Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
7.44x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
5% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
1.82x heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
about equal
about equal
Strong beam
1.88x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.58x 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 C360 or Plastic PETG?
Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C360 expands less: 20.5 µm/m·K against 51 µm/m·K for Plastic PETG.