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Copper Alloy C10100 vs CuAg0.04

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10100 and CuAg0.04 are both copper alloy grades. CuAg0.04 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10100, about 4.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi). In exchange, C10100 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 8% for CuAg0.04, and CuAg0.04 is harder (105 HB vs 45 HB). CuAg0.04 is stiffer (125 GPa vs 117 GPa) and CuAg0.04 runs hotter in service (220°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, CuAg0.04 machines more easily (28 vs 18 out of 100), C10100 welds better (very good vs fair), and CuAg0.04 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C10100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C10100Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

CuAg0.04Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C10100 vs CuAg0.04: properties

C10100CuAg0.04

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
125 GPa18.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
8%

Reduction in Area

75%
55%

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
105 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
115 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
57 HRB

Same in both: 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
385 W/m·K222 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
17.1 µm/m·K9.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
220°C428 °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

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
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
25%

Weldability

70 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

5%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

26 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
14 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
384 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
111.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
65

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 scaleC10100CuAg0.04

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10100CuAg0.04
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 CuAg0.04 — frequently asked

Is CuAg0.04 stronger than C10100?

Yes. CuAg0.04 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10100 — about 4.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) vs 235 MPa (34.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10100 or CuAg0.04?

CuAg0.04 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 CuAg0.04?

CuAg0.04, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 18/100 for C10100; for welding the order is C10100 first (very good, 70/100) then CuAg0.04 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10100 and CuAg0.04 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.