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Copper Alloy C17300 vs C17460

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C17300 and C17460 are both copper alloy grades. C17460 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300, about 182% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). In exchange, C17300 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C17460, and C17460 is harder (210 HB vs 110 HB). C17300 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.83 g/cm³ for C17460) and C17460 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 128 GPa). On the shop floor, C17460 welds better (fair vs poor) and C17460 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.

C17460Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C17300 vs C17460: properties

C17300C17460

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
760 MPa110 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

50%
—

Shear Strength

310 MPa45 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

110 HB
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

60 HRB
95 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

115 HV
220 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
20 HRC

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
8.83 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

865°C1,589 °F
1,000°C1,832 °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
230 W/m·K133 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
340°C644 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.5 µm/m·K9.7 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

18 % IACS
52 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.78 µΩ·in
3.32×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.31 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.23 V
-0.22 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
30%

Weldability

15 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Castability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
6.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

57 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.5 MN·m/kg
15.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

189 kJ/m³
1,393 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

30.3 mm²/s
62.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

22
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 scaleC17300C17460

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC17300C17460
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 C17460 — frequently asked

Is C17460 stronger than C17300?

Yes. C17460 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300 — about 182% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C17300 or C17460?

C17460 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 C17460?

C17300, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for C17460; for welding the order is C17460 first (fair, 45/100) then C17300 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17300 and C17460 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.