Copper Alloy BC6 vs C84400
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy BC6 and C84400 are both copper alloy grades. BC6 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) for C84400, about 7% more. BC6 is harder — 60 HB against 55 HB for C84400 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BC6 runs hotter in service (230°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, BC6 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84400 (specialty, $$$$$).
BC6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
BC6 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 36 GPa5.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 110 MPa16 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb · 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
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Castability 90 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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 | BC6 | C84400 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
BC6 vs C84400 — frequently asked
Is BC6 stronger than C84400?
Yes. BC6 has a typical tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) against 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) for C84400 — about 7% more.
Which is cheaper, BC6 or C84400?
BC6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C84400 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, BC6 or C84400?
C84400, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 90/100 against 85/100 for BC6.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BC6 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.