Materials / Compare
Brass C360 vs. Steel
Compare Brass C360 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 | 310MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 400MPasourcetypical | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 8,498kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 36.5kN·m/kg | 49kN·m/kg34% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 11.4MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg2.24x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 36GPa | 76.9GPa2.14x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 101GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,370m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 103µm growth | 60µm growth1.71x 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) | 36.2mm²/s2.78x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 11,997W/m2.23x more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Melting point | 888–899°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values | 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 C360 stronger than Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 310 MPa for Brass C360 (24%).
Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Steel?
Steel is lighter: 7,850 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 96.5 GPa for Brass C360, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 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 C360 | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 2.24x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 1.56x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 38% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 34% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 25% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 21% 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 Steel?
Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20.5 µm/m·K for Brass C360.