Materials / Compare
Copper C110 vs. Stainless 316
Compare Copper C110 vs. Stainless 316 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 | 265MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 221MPasourcetypical | 583MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | 61%sourcetypical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 117GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourcetypical, in tension |
| Density | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal | 8,027kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 7.74kN·m/kg | 33kN·m/kg4.26x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 13.1MN·m/kg | 24.9MN·m/kg1.89x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | 43.7GPa | 76.9GPa1.76x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 122GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,626m/s | 4,992m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 14.6W/m·Ksource20–100 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 16.5µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 84.5µm growth | 82.5µm growth2% less |
| Specific heat | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 450J/kg·Ksourceat 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 114mm²/s28.2x faster | 4.04mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 8,992W/m11x more resistant | 821W/m |
| Melting point | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 1,390–1,440°Csourcemelting range |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 871–899°Csourceoxidation (scaling) limit in air |
| Values for | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values | ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual |
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 Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (3.84x).
Which is lighter, Copper C110 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is lighter: 8,027 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Copper C110 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C110, so the same part in Stainless 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C110 or Stainless 316?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless 316 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 | Stainless 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.89x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 45% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 33% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 4.26x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2.72x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 2.18x 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 Stainless 316?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C110.