Copper Alloy AlBC3 vs C95500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy AlBC3 and C95500 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for AlBC3, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, AlBC3 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 170 HB). On the shop floor, AlBC3 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).
AlBC3Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C95500Choose it when strength drives the design.
AlBC3 vs C95500: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Shear Modulus 42 GPa6.1 Msi · Bulk Modulus 102 GPa14.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.32
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.53 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 8.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Castability 75 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 14.6 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 13.3 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | AlBC3 | C95500 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
AlBC3 vs C95500 — frequently asked
Is C95500 stronger than AlBC3?
Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for AlBC3 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AlBC3 or C95500?
AlBC3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C95500 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, AlBC3 or C95500?
C95500, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for AlBC3; for welding the order is AlBC3 first (good, 65/100) then C95500 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AlBC3 and C95500 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.