Copper Alloy C10100 vs Cu-PHC
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C10100 and Cu-PHC are both copper alloy grades. C10100 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Cu-PHC, about 7% more. C10100 is harder — 50 HV against 45 HV for Cu-PHC — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Cu-PHC runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, Cu-PHC sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).
C10100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Cu-PHCChoose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C10100 vs Cu-PHC: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Vickers
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 75% · Hardness, Brinell 45 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,083°C1,981 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F · 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 Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 101 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C10100 | Cu-PHC |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C10100 vs Cu-PHC — frequently asked
Is C10100 stronger than Cu-PHC?
Yes. C10100 has a typical tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for Cu-PHC — about 7% more.
Which is cheaper, C10100 or Cu-PHC?
Cu-PHC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C10100 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 Cu-PHC?
Cu-PHC. Its weldability rates very good (78/100) against very good (70/100) for C10100.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and Cu-PHC 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.