Materials / Compare
Copper C110 vs. Steel
Compare Copper C110 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 | 69MPasourcetypical, 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 | 221MPasourcetypical | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 117GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 7.74kN·m/kg | 49kN·m/kg6.34x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 13.1MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg1.94x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 43.7GPa | 76.9GPa1.76x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 122GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,626m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 84.5µm growth | 60µm growth41% less |
| Specific heat | 385J/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) | 114mm²/s8.76x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 8,992W/m1.67x more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Melting point | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, 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 Copper C110 stronger than Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (5.58x).
Which is lighter, Copper C110 or Steel?
Steel is lighter: 7,850 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Copper C110 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C110, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C110 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 | Copper C110 | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.94x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 48% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 36% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 6.34x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 3.57x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 2.68x 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 Steel?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C110.