Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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EOS StainlessSteel 316L Material Data Sheet, M 280 and M 290 (2014)EOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS 316L Stainless Steel · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
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EOS StainlessSteel 316L Material Data Sheet, FlexLine, M 290 (2016)EOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS 316L Stainless Steel · Density: part density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
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Wieland-M30 (CuZn30, C26000) Data SheetWielandarchived copyBrass C260 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-M30 = CuZn30 = C26000, rolled products)
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Design Manual for Structural Stainless Steel, 4th Edition (P413)Steel Construction Institutearchived copyDMLS 316L Stainless Steel · Poisson's ratio: base material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
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316/316L Stainless Steel Product Data Bulletin (2021)Cleveland-CliffsDMLS 316L Stainless Steel · Thermal conductivity: base material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °CDMLS 316L Stainless Steel · Specific heat: base material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Brass C260 stronger than DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 345 MPa for Brass C260 (1.54x).
Which is lighter, Brass C260 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,900 kg/m³ against 8,525 kg/m³ for Brass C260.
Which is stiffer, Brass C260 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 110 GPa for Brass C260, so the same part in DMLS 316L Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C260 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 316L Stainless 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
Brass C260
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
1.81x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
40% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
28% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
1.66x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
44% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
34% 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 is more ductile, Brass C260 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel stretches further before it breaks: 40% elongation at break against 23% for Brass C260.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Brass C260 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?
Brass C260 conducts heat better: 121 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Brass C260.