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Copper Alloy C33000 vs C43500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C33000 and C43500 are both copper alloy grades. C43500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 14% more. In exchange, C33000 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 46% for C43500, and C43500 is harder (60 HB vs 55 HB). C43500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C43500 welds better (fair vs poor).

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

C43500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

C33000 vs C43500: properties

C33000C43500

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
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
46%

Reduction in Area

62%
—

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
60 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
65 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
20 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
927°C1,701 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 899°C1,650 °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
20.3 µm/m·K11.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: 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
6.16×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.43 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
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

180%
30%

Weldability

25 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
88 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

—
30 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
280 L/kg33.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

50%
45%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

40 kN·m/kg
39 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.2 MN·m/kg
12.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

59 kJ/m³
71 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.1 mm²/s
36.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
17

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 scaleC33000C43500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC33000C43500
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 C43500 — frequently asked

Is C43500 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C43500 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C33000 or C43500?

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 C43500?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (30/100) for C43500; for welding the order is C43500 first (fair, 40/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C33000 and C43500 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.