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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C48200

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C48200 are both copper alloy grades. C48200 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 19% more. In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for C48200, and C48200 is harder (100 HB vs 75 HB). On the shop floor, C48200 machines more easily (very good vs good), C28000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C48200 (high, $$$$).

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

C48200Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C28000 vs C48200: properties

C28000C48200

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

39 GPa5.7 Msi
37 GPa5.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

372 MPa54 ksi
379 MPa55 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
172 MPa24.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
40%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
100 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
55 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
45%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
105 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 138 MPa20 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
900°C1,652 °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
21.2 µm/m·K11.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: 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
6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
70%

Weldability

50 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
45 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
11.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
148 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
36.5 mm²/s

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.

501002005001,0007.588.599.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleC28000C48200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C48200
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 C48200 — frequently asked

Is C48200 stronger than C28000?

Yes. C48200 has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 379 MPa (55 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C48200?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C48200 is high ($$$$). 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 C48200?

C48200. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for C28000; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C48200 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C48200 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.