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Copper Alloy C28000 vs C66900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C28000 and C66900 are both copper alloy grades. C66900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000, about 3.9 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi). In exchange, C28000 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 7% for C66900, and C66900 is harder (185 HB vs 75 HB). C66900 is lighter (8.1 g/cm³ vs 8.39 g/cm³ for C28000) and C28000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C28000 machines more easily (good vs poor), C28000 welds better (50 vs 40 out of 100), and C28000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C66900 (high, $$$$).

C28000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C66900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C28000 vs C66900: properties

C28000C66900

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

112 GPa16.2 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

372 MPa54 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

145 MPa21 ksi
565 MPa81.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
7%

Shear Strength

255 MPa37 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

138 MPa20 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
185 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
88 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
195 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.39 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.1 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

900°C1,652 °F
880°C1,616 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
920°C1,688 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
27 W/m·K15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 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.

Electrical Conductivity

28 % IACS
4.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in
3.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m15 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
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
30%

Weldability

50 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 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
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
86 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
13 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

100 kJ/m³
1,520 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.1 mm²/s
8.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
9

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 scaleC28000C66900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC28000C66900
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 C66900 — frequently asked

Is C66900 stronger than C28000?

Yes. C66900 has a typical yield strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) against 145 MPa (21 ksi) for C28000 — about 3.9 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 372 MPa (54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C28000 or C66900?

C28000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C66900 is high ($$$$). 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 C66900?

C28000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (30/100) for C66900; for welding the order is C28000 first (fair, 50/100) then C66900 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C28000 and C66900 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.