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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C43400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C43400 are both copper alloy grades. C43400 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 448 MPa (65 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi). In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 14% for C43400, and C43400 is harder (78 HRB vs 35 HRB). C28000 is lighter (8.39 g/cm³ vs 8.75 g/cm³ for C43400) 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, $$$) than C43400 (high, $$$$).

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

C43400Choose it when strength drives the design.

C28000 vs C43400: properties

C28000C43400

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

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

372 MPa54 ksi
448 MPa65 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
14%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
150 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 112 GPa16.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
1,030°C1,886 °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

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
19.8 µm/m·K11 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °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
62 / 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
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 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
4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
51 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
12.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
656 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
36.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
25

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 scaleC28000C43400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C43400
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 C43400 — frequently asked

Is C43400 stronger than C28000?

Yes. C43400 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 162% more. Tensile strength is 448 MPa (65 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C43400?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C43400 is high ($$$$). 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 C43400?

C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (32/100) for C43400; for welding the order is C43400 first (good, 55/100) then C28000 (fair, 50/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C43400 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.