Copper Alloy C17300 vs C17500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C17300 and C17500 are both copper alloy grades. C17500 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 15% for C17500, and C17500 is harder (220 HB vs 110 HB). C17300 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.75 g/cm³ for C17500) and C17500 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 128 GPa). On the shop floor, C17300 machines more easily (50 vs 40 out of 100), C17500 welds better (good vs poor), and C17500 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.
C17500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
C17300 vs C17500: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | C17300 | C17500 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | A | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C17300 vs C17500 — frequently asked
Is C17500 stronger than C17300?
Yes. C17500 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300 — about 182% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C17300 or C17500?
C17500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C17300 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 C17500?
C17300, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 40/100 for C17500; for welding the order is C17500 first (good, 60/100) then C17300 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17300 and C17500 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.