Brass C360 vs. Plastic PLA

Compare Brass C360 vs. Plastic PLA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	310MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load	52.5MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	400MPasourcetypical	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	96.8MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod	7.8%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent	3.25GPasourcetypical
Density	8,498kg/m³sourcenominal	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	36.5kN·m/kg	42.3kN·m/kg16% higher
Stiffness to weight	11.4MN·m/kg4.33x higher	2.62MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature	not sourced
Shear modulus	36GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	101GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	3,370m/s	1,619m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Thermal expansion	20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	103µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	36.2mm²/s415x faster	0.0874mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	11,997W/m	not sourced
Melting point	888–899°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	152°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	59.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values	Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated April 20, 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 PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Brass C360 stronger than Plastic PLA?

Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (5.9x).

Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Plastic PLA?

Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.

Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Plastic PLA?

Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 or Plastic PLA?

For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C360 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Brass C360	Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	4.33x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	26% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	2.21x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	16% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	2.1x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.82x 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 PLA?

Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density