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Copper Alloy C11400 vs C14500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C11400 and C14500 are both copper alloy grades. C11400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C14500 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 6% for C11400, and C11400 is harder (90 HB vs 85 HB). C14500 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, C14500 machines more easily (excellent vs poor).

C11400Choose it when strength drives the design.

C14500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C11400 vs C14500: properties

C11400C14500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

345 MPa50 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

310 MPa45 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
18%

Shear Strength

193 MPa28 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

90 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

105 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.

Density

8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,065°C1,949 °F
1,051°C1,924 °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

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

180°C356 °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

98 % IACS
92 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.693 µΩ·in
1.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.736 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
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
—

Weldability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
—

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

39 kN·m/kg
35 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.2 MN·m/kg
13.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

411 kJ/m³
323 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

113.4 mm²/s
101.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

67
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 scaleC14500C11400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC11400C14500
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.

C11400 vs C14500 — frequently asked

Is C11400 stronger than C14500?

Yes. C11400 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C11400 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, C11400 or C14500?

C14500. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (25/100) for C11400; for welding the order is C11400 first (poor, 30/100) then C14500 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C11400 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.