Copper Alloy AlBC4 vs C84400
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy AlBC4 and C84400 are both copper alloy grades. AlBC4 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi). In exchange, C84400 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 20% for AlBC4, and AlBC4 is harder (159 HB vs 55 HB). AlBC4 is lighter (7.64 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C84400) and AlBC4 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 95 GPa). On the shop floor, C84400 machines more easily (excellent vs poor), AlBC4 welds better (very good vs poor), and AlBC4 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84400 (specialty, $$$$$).
AlBC4Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
C84400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
AlBC4 vs C84400: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | AlBC4 | C84400 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
AlBC4 vs C84400 — frequently asked
Is AlBC4 stronger than C84400?
Yes. AlBC4 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400 — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, AlBC4 or C84400?
AlBC4 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C84400 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, AlBC4 or C84400?
C84400. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against poor (32/100) for AlBC4; for welding the order is AlBC4 first (very good, 70/100) then C84400 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AlBC4 and C84400 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.