Copper Alloy C26000 vs C36800
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C26000 and C36800 are both copper alloy grades. C36800 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 45% for C36800, and C36800 is harder (100 HB vs 55 HB). On the shop floor, C36800 machines more easily (good vs poor), C26000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C36800 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C26000 (high, $$$$).
C26000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C36800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C26000 vs C36800: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 28 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C26000 | C36800 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
C26000 vs C36800 — frequently asked
Is C36800 stronger than C26000?
Yes. C36800 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C26000 or C36800?
C36800 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 C36800?
C36800. Its machinability rates good (68/100) against poor (30/100) for C26000; for welding the order is C26000 first (fair, 40/100) then C36800 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C36800 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.