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Copper Alloy C17200 vs GRCop-84

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C17200 and GRCop-84 are both copper alloy grades. GRCop-84 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for C17200, about 62% more; tensile strength follows at 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi). In exchange, C17200 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 22% for GRCop-84, and GRCop-84 is harder (140 HB vs 105 HB). C17200 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.76 g/cm³ for GRCop-84) and GRCop-84 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, GRCop-84 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100), GRCop-84 welds better (good vs fair), and GRCop-84 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C17200 (specialty, $$$$$).

C17200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

GRCop-84Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C17200 vs GRCop-84: properties

C17200GRCop-84

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

49 GPa7.1 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

490 MPa71.1 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
22%

Reduction in Area

55%
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

205 MPa29.7 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

105 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

62 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
150 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 128 GPa18.6 Msi · Shear Strength 320 MPa46.4 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.26 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.76 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

865°C1,589 °F
1,070°C1,958 °F

Liquidus Temperature

980°C1,796 °F
1,090°C1,994 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

105 W/m·K60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
285 W/m·K165 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

17 % IACS
65 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.01×10⁻⁷ Ω·m3.98 µΩ·in
2.65×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.04 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
40%

Weldability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

50 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

280 L/kg33.6 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

59 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.5 MN·m/kg
14.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

264 kJ/m³
689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

30.3 mm²/s
85.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
72

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.

501002005001,0007.588.599.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleC17200GRCop-84

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC17200GRCop-84
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionA—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C17200 vs GRCop-84 — frequently asked

Is GRCop-84 stronger than C17200?

Yes. GRCop-84 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for C17200 — about 62% more. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C17200 or GRCop-84?

GRCop-84 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C17200 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C17200 or GRCop-84?

GRCop-84, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for C17200; for welding the order is GRCop-84 first (good, 55/100) then C17200 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17200 and GRCop-84 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.