Copper Alloy C18980 vs ERCu
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C18980 and ERCu are both copper alloy grades. C18980 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) for ERCu, about 7% more. C18980 is harder — 65 HB against 55 HB for ERCu — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ERCu runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous) and ERCu conducts heat better (250 W/m·K vs 200 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C18980 welds better (excellent vs very good).
C18980Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ERCuChoose it when the part sees heat.
C18980 vs ERCu: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 44 GPa6.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 80 MPa11.6 ksi · Shear Strength 150 MPa21.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,065°C1,949 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.9 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 28 kJ/m³
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 | C18980 | ERCu |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C18980 vs ERCu — frequently asked
Is C18980 stronger than ERCu?
Yes. C18980 has a typical tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) for ERCu — about 7% more.
Which is cheaper, C18980 or ERCu?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C18980 or ERCu?
ERCu, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for C18980; for welding the order is C18980 first (excellent, 90/100) then ERCu (very good, 78/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C18980 and ERCu 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.