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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C36600

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C36600 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 145 MPa — strength does not separate them. C36600 is harder — 80 HB against 75 HB for C28000 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, C28000 welds better (50 vs 40 out of 100), C28000 forms better (good vs poor), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C36600 (high, $$$$).

C28000Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C36600Choose it when surface hardness matters.

C28000 vs C36600: properties

C28000C36600

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.35

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
138 MPa20 ksi

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
80 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
55 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 372 MPa54 ksi · Elongation at Break 45%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.41 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Thermal

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

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 28 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
55 / 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

55 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
60%

Weldability

50 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
91 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
39 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 44 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.5 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 21

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 scaleC28000C36600

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C36600
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ 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.

C28000 vs C36600 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C28000 and C36600?

Copper Alloy C28000 and C36600 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 145 MPa — strength does not separate them. C36600 is harder — 80 HB against 75 HB for C28000 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C36600?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C36600 is high ($$$$). 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 C36600?

C36600, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for C28000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C36600 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C36600 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.