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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C35600

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C35600 are both copper alloy grades. C35600 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 15% for C35600, and C35600 is harder (125 HB vs 55 HB). C26000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 97 GPa) and C26000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, C35600 machines more easily (excellent vs poor), C26000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C35600 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C26000 (high, $$$$).

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

C35600Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C26000 vs C35600: properties

C26000C35600

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
97 GPa14.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
37 GPa5.4 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%
15%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 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
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
115 W/m·K66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
377 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
160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
180°C356 °F

Same in both: 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
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
100 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
100%

Weldability

40 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
70%

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
11.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
596 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
36 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

18
25

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 scaleC26000C35600

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C35600
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
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 C35600 — frequently asked

Is C35600 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C35600 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 C35600?

C35600 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C26000 is high ($$$$). 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, C26000 or C35600?

C35600. Its machinability rates excellent (100/100) against poor (30/100) for C26000; for welding the order is C26000 first (fair, 40/100) then C35600 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C35600 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.