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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C37000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C37000 are both copper alloy grades. C37000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 162% more; tensile strength follows at 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi). In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 10% for C37000, and C37000 is harder (130 HB vs 75 HB). On the shop floor, C37000 machines more easily (very good vs good) and C28000 welds better (fair vs poor).

C28000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

C37000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C28000 vs C37000: properties

C28000C37000

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
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
10%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
130 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
140 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
8.41 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
904°C1,659 °F

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

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 · 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.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
6.63×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.61 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
52 / 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
75 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
70%

Weldability

50 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 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
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
59 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
12.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
701 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
38.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
29

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 scaleC28000C37000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C37000
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
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 C37000 — frequently asked

Is C37000 stronger than C28000?

Yes. C37000 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 162% more. Tensile strength is 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C37000?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, C28000 or C37000?

C37000. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (55/100) for C28000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C37000 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C37000 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.