Copper Alloy C28000 vs C46500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C28000 and C46500 are both copper alloy grades. C46500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 17% more. In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for C46500, and C46500 is harder (95 HB vs 75 HB). On the shop floor, C28000 machines more easily (good vs poor) and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C46500 (high, $$$$).
C28000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C46500Choose it when strength drives the design.
C28000 vs C46500: 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
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)
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 112 GPa16.2 Msi · 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.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: 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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 55 / 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
Same in both: 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C28000 | C46500 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C28000 vs C46500 — frequently asked
Is C46500 stronger than C28000?
Yes. C46500 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C28000 or C46500?
C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C46500 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 C46500?
C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (32/100) for C46500; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C46500 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C46500 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.