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Copper Alloy C26000 vs C69400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C26000 and C69400 are both copper alloy grades. C69400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, C26000 is the more ductile: elongation 62% versus 25% for C69400, and C69400 is harder (165 HB vs 55 HB). C26000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa) and C26000 conducts heat better (121 W/m·K vs 28.5 W/m·K).

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

C69400Choose it when strength drives the design.

C26000 vs C69400: properties

C26000C69400

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
107 GPa15.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
345 MPa50 ksi

Elongation at Break

62%
25%

Shear Strength

234 MPa33.9 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

97 MPa14.1 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
165 HB

Hardness, Vickers

60 HV
175 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
80 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

915°C1,679 °F
820°C1,508 °F

Liquidus Temperature

955°C1,751 °F
917°C1,683 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
28.5 W/m·K16.5 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
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

165 J/g70.9 BTU/lb
190 J/g81.7 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
6.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
2.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.2 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
66 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
90%

Weldability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

98 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

45%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
75 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
12.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

50 kJ/m³
578 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

37.8 mm²/s
9.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

18
8

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 scaleC26000C69400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC26000C69400
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 C69400 — frequently asked

Is C69400 stronger than C26000?

Yes. C69400 has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for C26000 — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C26000 or C69400?

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 C69400?

C69400. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against fair (40/100) for C26000.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C26000 and C69400 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.