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Copper Alloy C10200 vs C18400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10200 and C18400 are both copper alloy grades. C18400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200, about 5.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi). In exchange, C10200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 18% for C18400, and C18400 is harder (140 HB vs 45 HB). C18400 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous) and C10200 conducts heat better (391 W/m·K vs 324 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C18400 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and C10200 welds better (good vs fair).

C10200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

C18400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C10200 vs C18400: properties

C10200C18400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

221 MPa32.1 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
18%

Reduction in Area

75%
55%

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
78 HRB

Same in both: 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
1,070°C1,958 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
324 W/m·K187 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
400°C752 °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
82 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.827 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
60%

Weldability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

97 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

20%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

25 kN·m/kg
53 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
12.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
628 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
94.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
78

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 scaleC10200C18400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10200C18400
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 C18400 — frequently asked

Is C18400 stronger than C10200?

Yes. C18400 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200 — about 5.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10200 or C18400?

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 is easier to machine, C10200 or C18400?

C18400. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (22/100) for C10200; for welding the order is C10200 first (good, 65/100) then C18400 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10200 and C18400 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.