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Copper Alloy C33000 vs C36800

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C33000 and C36800 are both copper alloy grades. C36800 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 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for C36800, and C36800 is harder (100 HB vs 55 HB). On the shop floor, C36800 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C33000 (high, $$$$).

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

C36800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C33000 vs C36800: properties

C33000C36800

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

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
370 MPa53.7 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
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
100 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
60 HRB

Same in both: Shear Modulus 39 GPa5.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

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.

Electrical Conductivity

26 % IACS
28 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in
6.2×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.44 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.27 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
68 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

180%
60%

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
35 / 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
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

50%
65%

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 scaleC33000C36800

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC33000C36800
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 C36800 — frequently asked

Is C36800 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C36800 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C33000 or C36800?

C36800 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.

When should I choose C33000 over C36800?

Pick C33000 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick C36800 when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C33000 and C36800 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.