Copper Alloy C10500-H04 vs C10500-M20
Copper Alloy · C10500 temper comparison
C10500-H04 and C10500-M20 are two conditions of the same copper alloy grade, C10500: H04 (full hard) versus M20 (as hot rolled). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. C10500-H04 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10500-M20, about 4.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 228 MPa (33.1 ksi). In exchange, C10500-M20 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 8% for C10500-H04, and C10500-H04 is harder (90 HB vs 45 HB). C10500-M20 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 220°C continuous). On the shop floor, C10500-M20 welds better (very good vs good).
C10500-H04Choose it when strength drives the design.
C10500-M20Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
C10500-H04 vs C10500-M20: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Hardness, Rockwell B 50 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,065°C1,949 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,083°C1,981 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.2 V · Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 10%
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.
C10500-H04 vs C10500-M20 — frequently asked
Is C10500-H04 stronger than C10500-M20?
Yes. C10500-H04 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C10500-M20 — about 4.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 228 MPa (33.1 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, H04 or M20?
H04 is the default C10500 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, C10500-H04 or C10500-M20?
C10500-H04, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 20/100 for C10500-M20; for welding the order is C10500-M20 first (very good, 70/100) then C10500-H04 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10500-H04 and C10500-M20 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.