Copper Alloy C31400 vs C51000
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C31400 and C51000 are both copper alloy grades. C31400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000, about 71% more. In exchange, C51000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 20% for C31400, and C31400 is harder (100 HB vs 80 HB). C31400 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 110 GPa) and C31400 conducts heat better (180 W/m·K vs 69 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C31400 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C51000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C31400 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51000 (specialty, $$$$$).
C31400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C51000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C31400 vs C51000: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: 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)
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | C31400 | C51000 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C31400 vs C51000 — frequently asked
Is C31400 stronger than C51000?
Yes. C31400 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000 — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 345 MPa (50 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C31400 or C51000?
C31400 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51000 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C31400 or C51000?
C31400. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for C51000; for welding the order is C51000 first (fair, 45/100) then C31400 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C31400 and C51000 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.