Copper Alloy C17300 vs QBe0.4
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C17300 and QBe0.4 are both copper alloy grades. QBe0.4 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 655 MPa (95 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300, about 198% 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 QBe0.4, and QBe0.4 is harder (200 HB vs 110 HB). C17300 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.83 g/cm³ for QBe0.4) and QBe0.4 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 128 GPa). On the shop floor, QBe0.4 welds better (fair vs poor) and QBe0.4 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.
QBe0.4Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
C17300 vs QBe0.4: 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
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
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · 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
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 | QBe0.4 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | A | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C17300 vs QBe0.4 — frequently asked
Is QBe0.4 stronger than C17300?
Yes. QBe0.4 has a typical yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for C17300 — about 198% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C17300 or QBe0.4?
QBe0.4 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C17300 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 QBe0.4?
C17300, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for QBe0.4; for welding the order is QBe0.4 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 QBe0.4 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.