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Copper Alloy C10100 vs C80500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and C80500 are both copper alloy grades. C10100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 69 MPa (10 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for C80500, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi). C10100 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for C80500, and C10100 is harder (50 HV vs 46 HV). On the shop floor, C10100 welds better (very good vs good) and C80500 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C10100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C80500Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

C10100 vs C80500: properties

C10100C80500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
62 MPa9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
40%

Reduction in Area

75%
45%

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
62 MPa9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
44 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
46 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

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

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 Conductivity

391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
355 W/m·K205 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Min Service Temperature

-253°C-423 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

101 % IACS
92 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
1.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.736 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Castability

—
50 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
20 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
16 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
103.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
31

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg

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 scaleC10100C80500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100C80500
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C10100 vs C80500 — frequently asked

Is C10100 stronger than C80500?

Yes. C10100 has a typical yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for C80500 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 180 MPa (26.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10100 or C80500?

C80500 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 C80500?

C80500, 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 C80500 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and C80500 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.