Copper Alloy C14500 vs C18600
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C14500 and C18600 are both copper alloy grades. C18600 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500, about 85% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C14500 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 8% for C18600, and C18600 is harder (160 HB vs 85 HB). C18600 is stiffer (128 GPa vs 117 GPa) and C18600 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C14500 machines more easily (excellent vs poor) and C18600 welds better (fair vs poor).
C14500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C18600Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
C14500 vs C18600: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34
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
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 | C18600 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | H02 | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C14500 vs C18600 — frequently asked
Is C18600 stronger than C14500?
Yes. C18600 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C14500 — about 85% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C14500 or C18600?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 C18600?
C14500. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (20/100) for C18600; for welding the order is C18600 first (fair, 40/100) then C14500 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C14500 and C18600 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.