Copper Alloy C14500 vs C18400
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C14500 and C18400 are both copper alloy grades. C18400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). C18400 is harder — 140 HB against 85 HB for C14500 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C18400 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous) and C14500 conducts electricity better (92 % IACS vs 82 % IACS). On the shop floor, C14500 machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and C18400 welds better (fair vs poor).
C14500Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
C18400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
C14500 vs C18400: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
Same in both: Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 18%
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Castability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | C18400 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | H02 | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C14500 vs C18400 — frequently asked
Is C18400 stronger than C14500?
Yes. C18400 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C14500 or C18400?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C14500 or C18400?
C14500. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against fair (45/100) for C18400; for welding the order is C18400 first (fair, 45/100) then C14500 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C14500 and C18400 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.