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Copper Alloy BC2 vs C95500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy BC2 and C95500 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for BC2, about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, BC2 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 75 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for BC2) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C95500 welds better (good vs poor) and BC2 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

BC2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C95500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

BC2 vs C95500: properties

BC2C95500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

39 GPa5.7 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

108 GPa15.7 Msi
102 GPa14.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
8%

Reduction in Area

20%
—

Compressive Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
—

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

110 MPa16 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

14 J10.3 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
192 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

32 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

78 HV
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
7.53 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

854°C1,569 °F
1,054°C1,929 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,064°C1,947 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

190 J/g81.7 BTU/lb
210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

11 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.18 µΩ·in
2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.26 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
50%

Weldability

25 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
30 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.4 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
93 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

11.7 MN·m/kg
14.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

109 kJ/m³
409 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

21.7 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
16

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.

501002005001,0007.588.599.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleC95500BC2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBC2C95500
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.

BC2 vs C95500 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than BC2?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for BC2 — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BC2 or C95500?

BC2 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, BC2 or C95500?

BC2, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then BC2 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BC2 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.