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Copper Alloy BC6 vs C95500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy BC6 and C95500 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for BC6, about 173% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). In exchange, BC6 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 60 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 8.83 g/cm³ for BC6) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 96 GPa). On the shop floor, BC6 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), C95500 welds better (good vs poor), and BC6 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

BC6Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

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

BC6 vs C95500: properties

BC6C95500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

96 GPa13.9 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

100 GPa14.5 Msi
102 GPa14.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
8%

Reduction in Area

20%
—

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
—

Shear Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

16 J11.8 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

60 HB
192 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

63 HV
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.83 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

1,010°C1,850 °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

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

230°C446 °F
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 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

68 / 100
80 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
40 / 100

Weldability

20 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
50%

Same in both: Formability (cold) 15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

75%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

28 kN·m/kg
93 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.9 MN·m/kg
14.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

63 kJ/m³
409 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

21.6 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
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 scaleC95500BC6

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBC6C95500
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 C95500 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than BC6?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for BC6 — about 173% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BC6 or C95500?

BC6 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, BC6 or C95500?

BC6. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against fair (40/100) for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then BC6 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BC6 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.