Copper Alloy C16200 vs C18900
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C16200 and C18900 are both copper alloy grades. C16200 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for C18900, about 7% more; tensile strength follows at 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) vs 405 MPa (58.7 ksi). C16200 conducts heat better (350 W/m·K vs 180 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C18900 welds better (very good vs fair).
C16200Choose it when strength drives the design.
C18900Choose it when it will be welded.
C16200 vs C18900: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 117 GPa17 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 8% · Hardness, Brinell 115 HB · Hardness, Vickers 120 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,030°C1,886 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°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).
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
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/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 | C16200 | C18900 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C16200 vs C18900 — frequently asked
Is C16200 stronger than C18900?
Yes. C16200 has a typical yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) against 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) for C18900 — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) vs 405 MPa (58.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C16200 or C18900?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C16200 or C18900?
C18900, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 25/100 for C16200; for welding the order is C18900 first (very good, 80/100) then C16200 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C16200 and C18900 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.