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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C37100

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C37100 are both copper alloy grades. C37100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 162% more; tensile strength follows at 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 20% for C37100, and C37100 is harder (135 HB vs 55 HB). C26000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa) and C26000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, C37100 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C37100 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.

C37100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C26000 vs C37100: properties

C26000C37100

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
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
395 MPa57.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
20%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
135 HB

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
140 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
75 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
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
123 W/m·K71.1 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
20.8 µm/m·K11.6 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
180°C356 °F

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

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
78 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
70%

Weldability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
230 L/kg27.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
47 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
367 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
38.7 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 scaleC26000C37100

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C37100
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 C37100 — frequently asked

Is C37100 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C37100 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 162% more. Tensile strength is 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C26000 or C37100?

C37100 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 C37100?

C37100. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against poor (30/100) for C26000; for welding the order is C26000 first (fair, 40/100) then C37100 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C37100 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.