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Copper Alloy C10100 vs C81100

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and C81100 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 C81100, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 172 MPa (24.9 ksi). C10100 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for C81100. C81100 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous) and C10100 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 346 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C10100 welds better (very good vs fair) and C81100 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.

C81100Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C10100 vs C81100: properties

C10100C81100

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
172 MPa24.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
62 MPa9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
40%

Reduction in Area

75%
38%

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
48 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
10 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Same in both: 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
346 W/m·K200 BTU/hr·ft·°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: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

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
-0.36 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
22 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
78 / 100

Castability

—
38 / 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
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
280 L/kg33.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
45%

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
19 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
12.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
17 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
101.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
29

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 scaleC10100C81100

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100C81100
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 C81100 — frequently asked

Is C10100 stronger than C81100?

Yes. C10100 has a typical yield strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for C81100 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) vs 172 MPa (24.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10100 or C81100?

C81100 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 welds better, C10100 or C81100?

C10100. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against fair (45/100) for C81100.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and C81100 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.