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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C41500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C41500 are both copper alloy grades. C41500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 176% more; tensile strength follows at 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi). In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 12% for C41500, and C41500 is harder (128 HB vs 75 HB). C28000 is lighter (8.39 g/cm³ vs 8.78 g/cm³ for C41500) and C28000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C28000 machines more easily (good vs poor) and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C41500 (high, $$$$).

C28000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C41500Choose it when strength drives the design.

C28000 vs C41500: properties

C28000C41500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

39 GPa5.7 Msi
41 GPa5.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

372 MPa54 ksi
455 MPa66 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
12%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
128 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
135 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.78 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
955°C1,751 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
1,020°C1,868 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
116 W/m·K67 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F
18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
200 J/g86 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °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).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
30%

Weldability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 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

Typical Recycled Content

70%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
52 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
727 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
35 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
26

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.5 MN·m/kg

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 scaleC28000C41500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C41500
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 C41500 — frequently asked

Is C41500 stronger than C28000?

Yes. C41500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 176% more. Tensile strength is 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C41500?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C41500 is high ($$$$). 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 C41500?

C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (32/100) for C41500; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C41500 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C41500 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.