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Copper Alloy C18200 vs QBe1.9

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C18200 and QBe1.9 are both copper alloy grades. QBe1.9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200, about 149% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, C18200 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 5% for QBe1.9, and QBe1.9 is harder (360 HB vs 140 HB). QBe1.9 is lighter (8.26 g/cm³ vs 8.89 g/cm³ for C18200) and QBe1.9 is stiffer (128 GPa vs 117 GPa). On the shop floor, QBe1.9 welds better (fair vs poor).

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

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

C18200 vs QBe1.9: properties

C18200QBe1.9

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

133 GPa19.3 Msi
108 GPa15.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

430 MPa62.4 ksi
1,070 MPa155 ksi

Elongation at Break

18%
5%

Shear Strength

310 MPa45 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

140 HB
360 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

77 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

145 HV
390 HV

Reduction in Area

—
20%

Compressive Strength

—
1,150 MPa167 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
40 MPa·√m36.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
39 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,070°C1,958 °F
865°C1,589 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,080°C1,976 °F
980°C1,796 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

324 W/m·K187 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

385 J/kg·K0.09 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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
200°C392 °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

82 % IACS
23 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.1×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.827 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)

-0.3 V
-0.24 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
42 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
25%

Weldability

30 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
7.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
480 L/kg57.5 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

56 kN·m/kg
150 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.2 MN·m/kg
15.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

790 kJ/m³
4,472 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

94.7 mm²/s
31.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

79
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 scaleC18200QBe1.9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC18200QBe1.9
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionH—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ 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.

C18200 vs QBe1.9 — frequently asked

Is QBe1.9 stronger than C18200?

Yes. QBe1.9 has a typical yield strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) for C18200 — about 149% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C18200 or QBe1.9?

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 welds better, C18200 or QBe1.9?

QBe1.9. Its weldability rates fair (50/100) against poor (30/100) for C18200.

Ready to make it?

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