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Copper Alloy C33000 vs C36500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C33000 and C36500 are both copper alloy grades. C36500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for C36500, and C36500 is harder (80 HB vs 55 HB). On the shop floor, C36500 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C33000 (high, $$$$).

C33000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C36500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C33000 vs C36500: properties

C33000C36500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

111 GPa16.1 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
372 MPa54 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
45%

Reduction in Area

62%
—

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
80 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
55 HRB

Same in both: Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.41 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

899°C1,650 °F
885°C1,625 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
123 W/m·K71.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F
20.8 µm/m·K11.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 26 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

180%
60%

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

40 kN·m/kg
44 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.2 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

59 kJ/m³
93 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.1 mm²/s
39 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
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 scaleC33000C36500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC33000C36500
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
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.

C33000 vs C36500 — frequently asked

Is C36500 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C36500 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 372 MPa (54 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C33000 or C36500?

C36500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C33000 is high ($$$$). 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, C33000 or C36500?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for C36500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C33000 and C36500 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.