Copper Alloy C31600 vs C52100
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C31600 and C52100 are both copper alloy grades. C52100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C31600, about 113% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi). In exchange, C31600 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 10% for C52100, and C52100 is harder (170 HB vs 95 HB). C31600 conducts heat better (145 W/m·K vs 62 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C31600 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C52100 welds better (fair vs poor), and C31600 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C52100 (specialty, $$$$$).
C31600Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C52100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
C31600 vs C52100: 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
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
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°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
Same in both: Polishability 75 / 100
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)
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 | C31600 | C52100 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C31600 vs C52100 — frequently asked
Is C52100 stronger than C31600?
Yes. C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for C31600 — about 113% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C31600 or C52100?
C31600 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C52100 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 C52100?
C31600. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (30/100) for C52100; for welding the order is C52100 first (fair, 40/100) then C31600 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C31600 and C52100 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.