Copper Alloy C14180 vs ERCu
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C14180 and ERCu are both copper alloy grades. ERCu is the stronger of the two: yield strength 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C14180, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) vs 210 MPa (30.5 ksi). ERCu is harder — 55 HB against 42 HB for C14180 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C14180 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous) and C14180 conducts heat better (385 W/m·K vs 250 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ERCu welds better (very good vs fair).
C14180Choose it when the part sees heat.
ERCuChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
C14180 vs ERCu: 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)
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 35% · Shear Strength 150 MPa21.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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) 17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.9 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C14180 | ERCu |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C14180 vs ERCu — frequently asked
Is ERCu stronger than C14180?
Yes. ERCu has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C14180 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) vs 210 MPa (30.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C14180 or ERCu?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C14180 or ERCu?
ERCu, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C14180; for welding the order is ERCu first (very good, 78/100) then C14180 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C14180 and ERCu 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.