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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Sources4 documents: Copper Development Association, ATI, Wieland, Steel Construction Institute
Brass C360
C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values
Stainless Steel 316
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
ATI 316, 316L, 317 and 317L Technical Data Sheet (2012)ATIarchived copyStainless Steel 316 · Yield strength: typical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheetStainless Steel 316 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheetStainless Steel 316 · Elongation at break: typical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm)Stainless Steel 316 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, in tensionStainless Steel 316 · Density: typicalStainless Steel 316 · Thermal conductivity: 20–100 °CStainless Steel 316 · Thermal expansion: mean, 20–100 °CStainless Steel 316 · Specific heat: at 20 °CStainless Steel 316 · Melting point: melting rangeStainless Steel 316 · Max service temperature: oxidation (scaling) limit in air
3
Wieland-Z30 (CuZn39Pb2, C37700) Data SheetWielandarchived copyBrass C360 · Poisson's ratio: base material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature
4
Design Manual for Structural Stainless Steel, 4th Edition (P413)Steel Construction Institutearchived copyStainless Steel 316 · Poisson's ratio: design value (structural stainless steels)
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.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Brass C360 stronger than Stainless Steel 316?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 265 MPa for Stainless Steel 316 (17%).
Which is lighter, Brass C360 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is lighter: 8,027 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Brass C360 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 96.5 GPa for Brass C360, so the same part in Stainless Steel 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brass C360 or Stainless Steel 316?
For the same stiffness or strength: Brass C360 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Stainless Steel 316 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
Part that must be
Brass C360
Stainless Steel 316
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
2.19x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
1.52x heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
35% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
lighter
10% heavier
Strong beam
lighter
5% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2% heavier
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 C360 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 stretches further before it breaks: 61% elongation at break against 25% for Brass C360.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Brass C360 or Stainless Steel 316?
Brass C360 conducts heat better: 116 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless Steel 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 20.5 µm/m·K for Brass C360.