Copper Alloy C31600 vs C51900
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C31600 and C51900 are both copper alloy grades. C51900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C31600, about 64% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi). C51900 is harder — 155 HB against 95 HB for C31600 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C31600 conducts heat better (145 W/m·K vs 67 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C31600 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C51900 welds better (fair vs poor), and C31600 forms better (65 vs 55 out of 100).
C31600Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C51900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
C31600 vs C51900: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 43 GPa6.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 20%
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V
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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.1 MN·m/kg
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 | C31600 | C51900 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C31600 vs C51900 — frequently asked
Is C51900 stronger than C31600?
Yes. C51900 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C31600 — about 64% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C31600 or C51900?
C31600 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51900 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C31600 or C51900?
C31600. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for C51900; for welding the order is C51900 first (fair, 45/100) then C31600 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C31600 and C51900 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.