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Copper Alloy C10700 vs C14500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C10700 and C14500 are both copper alloy grades. C14500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for C10700, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 290 MPa (42.1 ksi). C14500 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 14% for C10700, and C14500 is harder (85 HB vs 75 HB). C10700 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C14500 machines more easily (excellent vs poor) and C10700 welds better (good vs poor).

C10700Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

C14500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C10700 vs C14500: properties

C10700C14500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
18%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Shear Strength

185 MPa26.8 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
—

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 40 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,051°C1,924 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

388 W/m·K224 BTU/hr·ft·°F
350 W/m·K202 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
200°C392 °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 · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

100 % IACS
92 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.72×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.677 µΩ·in
1.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.736 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.2 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
—

Weldability

60 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

80 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

380 L/kg45.5 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
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)

32 kN·m/kg
35 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

267 kJ/m³
323 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

112.7 mm²/s
101.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

54
53

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg

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 scaleC14500C10700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC10700C14500
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—H02
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Tin Plating—Yes

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C10700 vs C14500 — frequently asked

Is C14500 stronger than C10700?

Yes. C14500 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for C10700 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 290 MPa (42.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C10700 or C14500?

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, C10700 or C14500?

C14500. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (30/100) for C10700; for welding the order is C10700 first (good, 60/100) then C14500 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C10700 and C14500 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.