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Copper Alloy C10100 vs C11000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and C11000 are both copper alloy grades. C10100 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) for C11000, about 6% more. C11000 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C10100 welds better (very good vs fair) and C11000 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C10100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C11000Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C10100 vs C11000: properties

C10100C11000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
221 MPa32.1 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 69 MPa10 ksi · Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 75% · Shear Strength 152 MPa22 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 76 MPa11 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 45 HB · Hardness, Vickers 50 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-253°C-423 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.673 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 101 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.32 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
98 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

5%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
43

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 20 kJ/m³ · Thermal Diffusivity 113.6 mm²/s

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 scaleC10100C11000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100C11000
3D printing—Yes
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.

C10100 vs C11000 — frequently asked

Is C10100 stronger than C11000?

Yes. C10100 has a typical tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) for C11000 — about 6% more.

Which is cheaper, C10100 or C11000?

C11000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C10100 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C10100 or C11000?

C11000, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for C10100; for welding the order is C10100 first (very good, 70/100) then C11000 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and C11000 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.