Copper Alloy C14500 vs C14520
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C14500 and C14520 are both copper alloy grades. C14520 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C14500 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 10% for C14520, and C14520 is harder (100 HB vs 85 HB). On the shop floor, C14520 welds better (good vs poor).
C14500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C14520Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
C14500 vs C14520: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,051°C1,924 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 350 W/m·K202 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °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) -0.2 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 101.7 mm²/s
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 | C14500 | C14520 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | H02 | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C14500 vs C14520 — frequently asked
Is C14520 stronger than C14500?
Yes. C14520 has a typical yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C14500 or C14520?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, C14500 or C14520?
C14520. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (25/100) for C14500.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C14500 and C14520 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.