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Copper Alloy C14180 vs ERCuSi-A

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C14180 and ERCuSi-A are both copper alloy grades. ERCuSi-A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C14180, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 210 MPa (30.5 ksi). ERCuSi-A is harder — 85 HB against 42 HB for C14180 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ERCuSi-A is lighter (8.53 g/cm³ vs 8.94 g/cm³ for C14180) and C14180 is stiffer (115 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, ERCuSi-A welds better (excellent vs fair) and C14180 forms better (excellent vs very good).

C14180Choose it when the part sees heat.

ERCuSi-AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

C14180 vs ERCuSi-A: properties

C14180ERCuSi-A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
38.5 GPa5.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

60 MPa8.7 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
38%

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

75 MPa10.9 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

42 HB
85 HB

Reduction in Area

—
45%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
45 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
90 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,083°C1,981 °F
970°C1,778 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,083°C1,981 °F
1,025°C1,877 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

385 W/m·K222 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

98 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.72×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.677 µΩ·in
2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
33 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
30%

Weldability

45 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

50 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 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)

4 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

23 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

16 kJ/m³
185 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

111.9 mm²/s
11.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

40
7

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 scaleERCuSi-AC14180

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC14180ERCuSi-A
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 ERCuSi-A — frequently asked

Is ERCuSi-A stronger than C14180?

Yes. ERCuSi-A has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C14180 — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 210 MPa (30.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C14180 or ERCuSi-A?

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 ERCuSi-A?

ERCuSi-A, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 33/100 against 25/100 for C14180; for welding the order is ERCuSi-A first (excellent, 90/100) then C14180 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C14180 and ERCuSi-A 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.