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Copper Alloy C22000 vs C28000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C22000 and C28000 are both copper alloy grades. C28000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for C22000, about 75% more; tensile strength follows at 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi). C28000 is harder — 75 HB against 48 HB for C22000 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C28000 is lighter (8.39 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C22000) and C22000 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 105 GPa). On the shop floor, C28000 machines more easily (good vs poor), C22000 forms better (excellent vs good), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C22000 (specialty, $$$$$).

C28000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

C22000 vs C28000: properties

C22000C28000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

118 GPa17.1 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
372 MPa54 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

83 MPa12 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
138 MPa20 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

48 HB
75 HB

Hardness, Vickers

55 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
35 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 45%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,020°C1,868 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,045°C1,913 °F
905°C1,661 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

189 W/m·K109 BTU/hr·ft·°F
123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F
20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb
160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

44 % IACS
28 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.92×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.54 µΩ·in
6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
40%

Weldability

45 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.9 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
44 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.3 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

29 kJ/m³
100 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

57.1 mm²/s
39.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
21

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 scaleC28000C22000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC22000C28000
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$ Premium
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.

C22000 vs C28000 — frequently asked

Is C28000 stronger than C22000?

Yes. C28000 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for C22000 — about 75% more. Tensile strength is 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C22000 or C28000?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C22000 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C22000 or C28000?

C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (30/100) for C22000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C22000 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C22000 and C28000 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.