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Copper Alloy C27000 vs C33000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C27000 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades. C27000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 23% for C27000, and C27000 is harder (125 HB vs 55 HB). C33000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and C27000 welds better (fair vs poor).

C27000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C33000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C27000 vs C33000: properties

C27000C33000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
111 GPa16.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

430 MPa62.4 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

23%
55%

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

125 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

70 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

130 HV
58 HV

Reduction in Area

—
62%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Same in both: Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

905°C1,661 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Liquidus Temperature

932°C1,710 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Same in both: Density 8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.3 µm/m·K11.3 µin/in·°F
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

27 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 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)

-0.27 V
-0.25 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
180%

Weldability

40 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

51 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.4 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

550 kJ/m³
59 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
20

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 38.1 mm²/s

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 scaleC33000C27000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC27000C33000
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—O
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
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.

C27000 vs C33000 — frequently asked

Is C27000 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C27000 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C27000 or C33000?

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, C27000 or C33000?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against fair (35/100) for C27000; for welding the order is C27000 first (fair, 40/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C27000 and C33000 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.