Brass vs. Stainless Steel SMA Connectors

SMA can be built with either Brass Stainless Steel body. Initially it was high school almost always stainless steel; for military applications, stainless steel is usually called out. The main difference between the two materials is the torque required for proper mating, a key sma torque for stainless steel adapters require about 8 in-lbs of torque; brass sma is tightened to 5 in-lbs; use 8 in-lb torque lock on a sma brass will play the head of the connector.

SMA connectors are usually constructed of high quality suitable for the U.S. mil-specs, which call Teflon dielectrics, BeCu contacts, & 50 microinches minimum gold plating on contact. Brass sma, often targeting commercial applications with less severe environment & market a lower cost, can replace the plastic instead of Teflon; BeCu contacts instead of brass, and either 30 microinches, 10 microinches, or 3 microinches of gold plating on contacts. The best high school who can work up to 27 GHz; some very cheap version only works for 3GHz.

For coaxial attenuators, attenuator SMA can be either stainless steel or brass; SMA adapter also can be of material. Determine the appropriate materials, & a torque key is used, is important in selecting the correct part for an application. SMA wires also come in both materials.
Coaxial Adapter, using the high school on one or both ports can also be brass or material. Use stainless if not sure what you need, use a brass section if it fits with the whole system, & you know the brass according to your application. Always check the appropriate torque setiing; unlike N and TNC, SMA requires the proper torque.