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Copper Alloy C17510 vs QBe1.9

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C17510 and QBe1.9 are both copper alloy grades. QBe1.9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for C17510, about 6.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C17510 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 5% for QBe1.9, and QBe1.9 is harder (360 HB vs 70 HB). QBe1.9 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.75 g/cm³ for C17510). On the shop floor, QBe1.9 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and QBe1.9 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C17510 (specialty, $$$$$).

C17510Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

QBe1.9Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C17510 vs QBe1.9: properties

C17510QBe1.9

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

131 GPa19 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

53 GPa7.7 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
108 GPa15.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
1,070 MPa155 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
5%

Reduction in Area

60%
20%

Shear Strength

210 MPa30.5 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

165 MPa23.9 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
40 MPa·√m36.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

70 HB
360 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

75 HV
390 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,150 MPa167 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
39 HRC

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,000°C1,832 °F
865°C1,589 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,070°C1,958 °F
980°C1,796 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

105 W/m·K60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

22 % IACS
23 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
7.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.95 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.24 V

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
42 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
25%

Weldability

58 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb
105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
7.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
480 L/kg57.5 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
150 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15 MN·m/kg
15.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

110 kJ/m³
4,472 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

28.7 mm²/s
31.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
63

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 scaleC17510QBe1.9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC17510QBe1.9
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.

C17510 vs QBe1.9 — frequently asked

Is QBe1.9 stronger than C17510?

Yes. QBe1.9 has a typical yield strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for C17510 — about 6.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C17510 or QBe1.9?

QBe1.9 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C17510 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C17510 or QBe1.9?

QBe1.9. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (25/100) for C17510; for welding the order is C17510 first (good, 58/100) then QBe1.9 (fair, 50/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C17510 and QBe1.9 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.