Materials / Compare
Copper C110 vs. Steel AISI 4340
Compare Copper C110 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 | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load | 1,035MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 221MPasourcetypical | 1,140MPasourcetypical, transverse |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | 18%sourcetypical, transverse |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 117GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Density | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,840kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 7.74kN·m/kg | 132kN·m/kg17.1x 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) | 0.32sourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered) |
| Shear modulus | 43.7GPa | 75.7GPa1.73x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 122GPa | 185GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,626m/s | 5,049m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 37.5W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 11.3µm/m·Ksourcemean, -18 to 93 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 84.5µm growth | 56.5µm growth50% less |
| Specific heat | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 448J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 114mm²/s10.7x faster | 10.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 8,992W/m | 11,678W/m30% more resistant |
| 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 | 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 Copper C110 stronger than Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,035 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (15x).
Which is lighter, Copper C110 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is lighter: 7,840 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Copper C110 or Steel AISI 4340?
Steel AISI 4340 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 117 GPa for Copper C110, so the same part in Steel AISI 4340 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C110 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 | Copper C110 | Steel AISI 4340 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17.1x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 6.91x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 4.4x 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 AISI 4340?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 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 16.9 µm/m·K for Copper C110.