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Copper Alloy C17460 vs C18200

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C17460 and C18200 are both copper alloy grades. C17460 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200, about 44% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, C18200 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 12% for C17460, and C17460 is harder (210 HB vs 140 HB). C17460 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 117 GPa) and C18200 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 340°C continuous). On the shop floor, C17460 welds better (fair vs poor).

C17460Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C18200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C17460 vs C18200: properties

C17460C18200

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

138 GPa20 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

53 GPa7.7 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
133 GPa19.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
18%

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

210 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

95 HRB
77 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

20 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

220 HV
145 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.83 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,070°C1,958 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,070°C1,958 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

230 W/m·K133 BTU/hr·ft·°F
324 W/m·K187 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

340°C644 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

52 % IACS
82 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.32×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.31 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.827 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.22 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
60%

Weldability

45 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

86 kN·m/kg
56 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.6 MN·m/kg
13.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,393 kJ/m³
790 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

62.2 mm²/s
94.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

72
79

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 scaleC18200C17460

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC17460C18200
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—H
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ 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.

C17460 vs C18200 — frequently asked

Is C17460 stronger than C18200?

Yes. C17460 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200 — about 44% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C17460 or C18200?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, C17460 or C18200?

C17460, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for C18200; for welding the order is C17460 first (fair, 45/100) then C18200 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17460 and C18200 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.