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Copper Alloy C23400 vs C33000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C23400 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades. C23400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 159% more. In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 14% for C23400, and C23400 is harder (105 HB vs 55 HB). C23400 is stiffer (112 GPa vs 103 GPa) and C23400 conducts heat better (150 W/m·K vs 121 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C23400 welds better (fair vs poor).

C23400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C33000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

C23400 vs C33000: properties

C23400C33000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
111 GPa16.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

355 MPa51.5 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

285 MPa41.3 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
55%

Reduction in Area

55%
62%

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

105 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

62 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

110 HV
58 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

990°C1,814 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,015°C1,859 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

150 W/m·K86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19.1 µm/m·K10.6 µin/in·°F
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

190 J/g81.7 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

34 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.07×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2 µΩ·in
6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.29 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
180%

Weldability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 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)

3.5 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)

41 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.8 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

363 kJ/m³
59 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

45.3 mm²/s
38.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

25
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 scaleC33000C23400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC23400C33000
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
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.

C23400 vs C33000 — frequently asked

Is C23400 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C23400 has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 159% more. Tensile strength is 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C23400 or C33000?

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, C23400 or C33000?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (32/100) for C23400; for welding the order is C23400 first (fair, 45/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C23400 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.