Materials / Compare
Copper C110 vs. Iron
Compare Copper C110 vs. Iron 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 | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load | 186MPasourcetypical (0.2% YS), hot rolled + SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 221MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | 38%sourcetypical, gauge 4D0 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 117GPasourcetypical | 207GPasourcetypical, after SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Density | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,860kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 7.74kN·m/kg | 23.7kN·m/kg3.06x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 13.1MN·m/kg | 26.3MN·m/kg2x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) | 0.282sourceNIST critically evaluated best value (polycrystalline iron) |
| Shear modulus | 43.7GPa | 80.7GPa1.85x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 122GPa | 158GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,626m/s | 5,132m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 73.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 13.7µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-399 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 84.5µm growth | 68.5µm growth23% less |
| Specific heat | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 450J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 114mm²/s5.5x faster | 20.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 8,992W/m2.61x more resistant | 3,447W/m |
| Melting point | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 1,532°Csourcetypical |
| Values for | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values | Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal. |
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 Copper C110 stronger than Iron?
Iron is stronger: its yield strength is 186 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (2.7x).
Which is lighter, Copper C110 or Iron?
Iron is lighter: 7,860 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Copper C110 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C110, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C110 or Iron?
For the same stiffness or strength: Iron 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 | Copper C110 | Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 2x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 1.51x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 37% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.06x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2.2x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 1.86x 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, Copper C110 or Iron?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 73.2 W/m·K for Iron.
Which expands less with temperature?
Iron expands less: 13.7 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C110.