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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C33000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 105 MPa — strength does not separate them. C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 55% for C33000. C26000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C26000 welds better (fair vs poor).

C26000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

C33000Choose it when the part is machined in volume.

C26000 vs C33000: properties

C26000C33000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
111 GPa16.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
55%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
58 HV

Reduction in Area

—
62%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 55 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19.9 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 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)

-0.28 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
180%

Weldability

40 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

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

45%
50%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
59 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
38.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

18
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 scaleC26000C33000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C33000
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ 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.

C26000 vs C33000 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C26000 and C33000?

Copper Alloy C26000 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 105 MPa — strength does not separate them. C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 55% for C33000.

Which is cheaper, C26000 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, C26000 or C33000?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (30/100) for C26000; for welding the order is C26000 first (fair, 40/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

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