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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C49300

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C49300 are both copper alloy grades. C49300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 195% more; tensile strength follows at 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 18% for C49300, and C49300 is harder (125 HB vs 55 HB). C26000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C49300 machines more easily (excellent 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.

C49300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C26000 vs C49300: properties

C26000C49300

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
38 GPa5.5 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
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
18%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
125 HB

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
130 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
65 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
920°C1,688 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
380 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
175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb

Same in both: 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).

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
66 / 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
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
250%

Weldability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.1 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
52 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
467 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
34.1 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 scaleC26000C49300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C49300
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 C49300 — frequently asked

Is C49300 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C49300 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 195% more. Tensile strength is 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C26000 or C49300?

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 C49300?

C49300. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against poor (30/100) for C26000; for welding the order is C26000 first (fair, 40/100) then C49300 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C49300 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.