FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C33000 vs C41500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C33000 and C41500 are both copper alloy grades. C41500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 12% for C41500, and C41500 is harder (128 HB vs 55 HB). C33000 is lighter (8.47 g/cm³ vs 8.78 g/cm³ for C41500) and C41500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C41500 welds better (fair vs poor).

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

C41500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C33000 vs C41500: properties

C33000C41500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

39 GPa5.7 Msi
41 GPa5.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

111 GPa16.1 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
455 MPa66 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
12%

Reduction in Area

62%
—

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
128 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
135 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
72 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.78 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

899°C1,650 °F
955°C1,751 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
1,020°C1,868 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
116 W/m·K67 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F
18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
200 J/g86 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °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
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

180%
30%

Weldability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Castability

—
35 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

50%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

40 kN·m/kg
52 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.2 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

59 kJ/m³
727 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.1 mm²/s
35 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
26

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 scaleC33000C41500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC33000C41500
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
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 C41500 — frequently asked

Is C41500 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C41500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C33000 or C41500?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, C33000 or C41500?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (32/100) for C41500; for welding the order is C41500 first (fair, 45/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C33000 and C41500 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.