Copper Alloy BC6 vs C84800
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy BC6 and C84800 are both copper alloy grades. C84800 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for BC6, about 13% more. C84800 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for BC6, and BC6 is harder (60 HB vs 55 HB). C84800 is lighter (8.55 g/cm³ vs 8.83 g/cm³ for BC6) and BC6 is stiffer (96 GPa vs 86 GPa). On the shop floor, BC6 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84800 (specialty, $$$$$).
BC6Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C84800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
BC6 vs C84800: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
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: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,010°C1,850 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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
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
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Castability 90 / 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
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 | BC6 | C84800 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
BC6 vs C84800 — frequently asked
Is C84800 stronger than BC6?
Yes. C84800 has a typical yield strength of 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for BC6 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 262 MPa (38 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, BC6 or C84800?
BC6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C84800 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose BC6 over C84800?
Pick BC6 when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor. Pick C84800 when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BC6 and C84800 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.