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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C27400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C27400 are both copper alloy grades. C27400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 3.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 23% for C27400, and C27400 is harder (125 HB vs 55 HB). C26000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous).

C26000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C27400Choose it when strength drives the design.

C26000 vs C27400: properties

C26000C27400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
23%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
125 HB

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
130 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
70 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
930°C1,706 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
116 W/m·K67 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19.9 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F
20.5 µm/m·K11.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

165 J/g70.9 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
27 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
32 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30% · Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
50 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
550 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
36.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

18
23

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 scaleC26000C27400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C27400
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

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

C26000 vs C27400 — frequently asked

Is C27400 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C27400 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 3.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C26000 or C27400?

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 welds better, C26000 or C27400?

C27400. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against fair (40/100) for C26000.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C27400 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.