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Copper Alloy C22000 vs C33000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C22000 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades, both multipurpose cu alloy. C33000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for C22000, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi). C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for C22000, and C33000 is harder (55 HB vs 48 HB). C33000 is lighter (8.47 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C22000) and C22000 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C22000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C33000 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C22000 (specialty, $$$$$).

C22000Choose it when it will be welded.

C33000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C22000 vs C33000: properties

C22000C33000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

118 GPa17.1 Msi
111 GPa16.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

83 MPa12 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
55%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

48 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Vickers

55 HV
58 HV

Reduction in Area

—
62%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,020°C1,868 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,045°C1,913 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

189 W/m·K109 BTU/hr·ft·°F
121 W/m·K69.9 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
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 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

44 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.92×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.54 µΩ·in
6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
180%

Weldability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.9 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.3 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

29 kJ/m³
59 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

57.1 mm²/s
38.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
20

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 scaleC33000C22000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC22000C33000
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ 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.

C22000 vs C33000 — frequently asked

Is C33000 stronger than C22000?

Yes. C33000 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for C22000 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 275 MPa (39.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C22000 or C33000?

C33000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high 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 C33000?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (30/100) for C22000; for welding the order is C22000 first (fair, 45/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C22000 and C33000 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.