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Copper Alloy C18000 vs C18200

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C18000 and C18200 are both copper alloy grades, both conductive cu alloy. C18000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200, about 36% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, C18200 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 12% for C18000, and C18000 is harder (200 HB vs 140 HB). C18000 is stiffer (131 GPa vs 117 GPa) and C18200 conducts heat better (324 W/m·K vs 200 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C18000 machines more easily (50 vs 40 out of 100).

C18000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

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

C18000 vs C18200: properties

C18000C18200

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

131 GPa19 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

49 GPa7.1 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
18%

Shear Strength

415 MPa60.2 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

235 MPa34.1 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

95 HRB
77 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
145 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 133 GPa19.3 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,030°C1,886 °F
1,070°C1,958 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,075°C1,967 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

200 W/m·K116 BTU/hr·ft·°F
324 W/m·K187 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

48 % IACS
82 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.42 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)

-0.25 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

50 / 100
40 / 100

Weldability

35 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
60%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

56 MJ/kg24,076 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 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)

79 kN·m/kg
56 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.9 MN·m/kg
13.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,306 kJ/m³
790 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

60.6 mm²/s
94.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

60
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 scaleC18000C18200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC18000C18200
Default conditionHH
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.

C18000 vs C18200 — frequently asked

Is C18000 stronger than C18200?

Yes. C18000 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200 — about 36% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C18000 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, C18000 or C18200?

C18000, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 40/100 for C18200; for welding the order is C18000 first (fair, 35/100) then C18200 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C18000 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.