Copper Alloy C28000 vs C38500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C28000 and C38500 are both copper alloy grades. C38500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi). In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for C38500, and C38500 is harder (100 HB vs 75 HB). C28000 is stiffer (105 GPa vs 97 GPa). On the shop floor, C38500 machines more easily (excellent vs good), C28000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C38500 (high, $$$$).
C28000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C38500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C28000 vs C38500: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C28000 | C38500 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | As Extruded |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C28000 vs C38500 — frequently asked
Is C38500 stronger than C28000?
Yes. C38500 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C28000 or C38500?
C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C38500 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 C38500?
C38500. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against good (55/100) for C28000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C38500 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C38500 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.