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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C33000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C33000 are both copper alloy grades. C28000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for C28000, and C28000 is harder (75 HB vs 55 HB). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs good), C28000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C33000 (high, $$$$).

C28000Choose 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 is machined in volume.

C28000 vs C33000: properties

C28000C33000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
111 GPa16.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

372 MPa54 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
55%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
—

Reduction in Area

—
62%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
58 HV

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
899°C1,650 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °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

45 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
180%

Weldability

50 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
40 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
59 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
38.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
20

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 scaleC28000C33000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C33000
Default conditionOO
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.

C28000 vs C33000 — frequently asked

Is C28000 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C28000 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C33000?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C33000 is high ($$$$). 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, C28000 or C33000?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for C28000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 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.