Copper Alloy C15100 vs C17300
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C15100 and C17300 are both copper alloy grades. C15100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300, about 50% more. In exchange, C17300 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 6% for C15100. C17300 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.89 g/cm³ for C15100) and C17300 is stiffer (128 GPa vs 120 GPa). On the shop floor, C17300 machines more easily (fair vs poor), C15100 welds better (fair vs poor), and C15100 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C17300 (specialty, $$$$$).
C15100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
C17300Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
C15100 vs C17300: 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
Poisson's Ratio
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
Same in both: Hardness, Vickers 115 HV
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 45 / 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)
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 | C15100 | C17300 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | A |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C15100 vs C17300 — frequently asked
Is C15100 stronger than C17300?
Yes. C15100 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300 — about 50% more. Tensile strength is 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C15100 or C17300?
C15100 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C17300 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, C15100 or C17300?
C17300. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (22/100) for C15100; for welding the order is C15100 first (fair, 45/100) then C17300 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C15100 and C17300 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.