Materials / Compare
Brass C360 vs. Zinc Zamak 3
Compare Brass C360 vs. Zinc Zamak 3 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 | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 400MPasourcetypical41% stronger | 283MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | 10%sourcetypical, in 2 in. |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent | 85.5GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 8,498kg/m³sourcenominal | 6,600kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 36.5kN·m/kg9% higher | 33.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 11.4MN·m/kg | 13MN·m/kg14% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature | 0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast |
| Shear modulus | 36GPa7% stiffer in shear | 33.7GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 101GPa | 62GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,370m/s | 3,599m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 113W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C | 27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 103µm growth34% less | 137µm growth |
| Specific heat | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 419J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 36.2mm²/s | 40.9mm²/s13% faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 11,997W/m1.54x more resistant | 7,782W/m |
| Melting point | 888–899°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 381–387°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values | Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values |
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 Zinc Zamak 3?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 221 MPa for Zinc Zamak 3 (40%).
Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter: 6,600 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 85.5 GPa for Zinc Zamak 3, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C360 is lighter for a strong rod or tie; Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Brass C360 | Zinc Zamak 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 14% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 21% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 24% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 9% heavier |
| Strong beam | 3% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 9% 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 Zinc Zamak 3?
Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C360 expands less: 20.5 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.