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Copper Alloy C10200 vs C18900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10200 and C18900 are both copper alloy grades. C18900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200, about 5.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi). In exchange, C10200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 8% for C18900, and C18900 is harder (115 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 180 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C18900 machines more easily (32 vs 22 out of 100) and C18900 welds better (very good vs good).

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

C18900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C10200 vs C18900: properties

C10200C18900

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
405 MPa58.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
8%

Reduction in Area

75%
45%

Shear Strength

152 MPa22 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
115 HB

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
120 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
66 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
1,065°C1,949 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

391 W/m·K226 BTU/hr·ft·°F
180 W/m·K104 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
-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
45 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.71×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.672 µΩ·in
3.83×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.51 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

22 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
20%

Weldability

65 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

97 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.7 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

20%
35%

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
46 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
13.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

20 kJ/m³
585 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.6 mm²/s
52.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
35

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 scaleC10200C18900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10200C18900
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 C18900 — frequently asked

Is C18900 stronger than C10200?

Yes. C18900 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10200 — about 5.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) vs 221 MPa (32.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10200 or C18900?

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 C18900?

C18900, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 22/100 for C10200; for welding the order is C18900 first (very good, 80/100) then C10200 (good, 65/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10200 and C18900 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.