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Copper Alloy C17300 vs C17450

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C17300 and C17450 are both copper alloy grades. C17450 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300, about 173% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). In exchange, C17300 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C17450, and C17450 is harder (200 HB vs 110 HB). C17300 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C17450) and C17450 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 128 GPa). On the shop floor, C17300 machines more easily (50 vs 35 out of 100), C17450 welds better (good vs poor), and C17450 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C17300 (specialty, $$$$$).

C17300Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C17450Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C17300 vs C17450: properties

C17300C17450

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

128 GPa18.6 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Shear Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
53 GPa7.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

50%
—

Shear Strength

310 MPa45 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

110 HB
200 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

60 HRB
93 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

115 HV
210 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

865°C1,589 °F
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

980°C1,796 °F
1,070°C1,958 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

105 W/m·K60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
210 W/m·K121 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.5 µm/m·K9.7 µin/in·°F
17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

18 % IACS
50 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.78 µΩ·in
3.45×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.36 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.23 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

50 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
20%

Weldability

15 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
78 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

57 kN·m/kg
80 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.5 MN·m/kg
15.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

189 kJ/m³
1,304 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

30.3 mm²/s
56.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

22
61

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 scaleC17300C17450

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC17300C17450
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.

C17300 vs C17450 — frequently asked

Is C17450 stronger than C17300?

Yes. C17450 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300 — about 173% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C17300 or C17450?

C17450 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, C17300 or C17450?

C17300, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 35/100 for C17450; for welding the order is C17450 first (good, 55/100) then C17300 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17300 and C17450 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.