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Copper Alloy C10100 vs Cu-HCP

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and Cu-HCP are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C10100 is harder — 45 HB against 42 HB for Cu-HCP — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, Cu-HCP sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C10100Choose it when surface hardness matters.

Cu-HCPChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

C10100 vs Cu-HCP: properties

C10100Cu-HCP

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
42 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
45 HV

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 · Elongation at Break 45%

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
385 W/m·K222 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
98 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
1.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.693 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

18 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

5%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
21 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
111.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
43

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 26 kN·m/kg · 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 scaleC10100Cu-HCP

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100Cu-HCP
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 Cu-HCP — frequently asked

What is the difference between C10100 and Cu-HCP?

Copper Alloy C10100 and Cu-HCP are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 69 MPa — strength does not separate them. C10100 is harder — 45 HB against 42 HB for Cu-HCP — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, C10100 or Cu-HCP?

Cu-HCP 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 Cu-HCP?

Cu-HCP, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for C10100; for welding the order is Cu-HCP first (very good, 75/100) then C10100 (very good, 70/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and Cu-HCP 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.