Materials / Compare
Brass C360 vs. Steel AISI 4340
Compare Brass C360 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 | 310MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load | 1,035MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 400MPasourcetypical | 1,140MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Elongation at break | 25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | 18%sourcetypical, transverse |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 200GPasourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Density | 8,498kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,840kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 36.5kN·m/kg | 132kN·m/kg3.62x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 11.4MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg2.25x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature | 0.32sourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Shear modulus | 36GPa | 75.7GPa2.1x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 101GPa | 185GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,370m/s | 5,049m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 37.5W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 11.3µm/m·Ksourcemean, -18 to 93 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 103µm growth | 56.5µm growth1.81x less |
| Specific heat | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 448J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 36.2mm²/s3.39x faster | 10.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 11,997W/m3% more resistant | 11,678W/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 | 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 C360 stronger than Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,035 MPa against 310 MPa for Brass C360 (3.34x).
Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is lighter: 7,840 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 96.5 GPa for Brass C360, so the same part in Steel AISI 4340 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 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 C360 | Steel AISI 4340 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 2.25x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 1.56x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 38% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.62x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2.42x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 1.98x 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 AISI 4340?
Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 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 20.5 µm/m·K for Brass C360.