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Copper Alloy C23000 vs C28000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C23000 and C28000 are both copper alloy grades. C28000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for C23000, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi). C28000 is harder — 75 HB against 46 HB for C23000 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C28000 is lighter (8.39 g/cm³ vs 8.75 g/cm³ for C23000) and C23000 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 105 GPa). On the shop floor, C28000 machines more easily (good vs poor), C23000 forms better (excellent vs good), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C23000 (high, $$$$).

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

C23000 vs C28000: properties

C23000C28000

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

120 GPa17.4 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
372 MPa54 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

85 MPa12.3 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Reduction in Area

65%
—

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

96 MPa13.9 ksi
138 MPa20 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

46 HB
75 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
35 HRB

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

990°C1,814 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,025°C1,877 °F
905°C1,661 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

159 W/m·K91.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.7 µm/m·K10.4 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

37 % IACS
28 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.66×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.83 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)

-0.27 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

63 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
40%

Weldability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

88 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

32 kN·m/kg
44 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.4 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

31 kJ/m³
100 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

48.2 mm²/s
39.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
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 scaleC28000C23000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC23000C28000
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Tin Plating—Yes

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C23000 vs C28000 — frequently asked

Is C28000 stronger than C23000?

Yes. C28000 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for C23000 — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C23000 or C28000?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C23000 is high ($$$$). 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, C23000 or C28000?

C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (28/100) for C23000; for welding the order is C23000 first (good, 55/100) then C28000 (fair, 50/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C23000 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.