FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C10200 vs C16500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10200 and C16500 are both copper alloy grades. C16500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200, about 6.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 462 MPa (67 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi). In exchange, C10200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 4% for C16500, and C16500 is harder (120 HB vs 45 HB). C10200 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous) and C10200 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 235 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C10200 welds better (good vs fair).

C10200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C16500Choose it when strength drives the design.

C10200 vs C16500: properties

C10200C16500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

221 MPa32.1 ksi
462 MPa67 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
4%

Reduction in Area

75%
—

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
120 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
130 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
68 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · 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
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,076°C1,969 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
235 W/m·K136 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
200°C392 °F

Min Service Temperature

-253°C-423 °F
-250°C-418 °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
62 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
2.78×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.09 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
20%

Weldability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

97 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 22 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

25 kN·m/kg
52 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
13.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
790 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
68.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
53

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 scaleC10200C16500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10200C16500
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ 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.

C10200 vs C16500 — frequently asked

Is C16500 stronger than C10200?

Yes. C16500 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200 — about 6.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 462 MPa (67 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10200 or C16500?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, C10200 or C16500?

C10200. Its weldability rates good (65/100) against fair (45/100) for C16500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10200 and C16500 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.