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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C43400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C43400 are both copper alloy grades. C43400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 448 MPa (65 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 14% for C43400, and C43400 is harder (150 HV vs 60 HV). C26000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C43400 welds better (good vs fair).

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

C43400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C26000 vs C43400: properties

C26000C43400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
448 MPa65 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
14%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
—

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
150 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
78 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Shear Modulus 41 GPa5.9 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.75 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
1,030°C1,886 °F

Thermal

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

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
19.8 µm/m·K11 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

165 J/g70.9 BTU/lb
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°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
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
32 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
—

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
51 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
656 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
36.7 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 scaleC26000C43400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C43400
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 C43400 — frequently asked

Is C43400 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C43400 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 448 MPa (65 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C26000 or C43400?

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 C43400?

C43400. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for C26000.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C43400 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.