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Copper Alloy C33000 vs C44500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C33000 and C44500 are both copper alloy grades. C44500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000, about 13% more. C44500 is the more ductile: elongation 65% versus 55% for C33000, and C44500 is harder (60 HB vs 55 HB). C44500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C33000 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and C44500 welds better (good vs poor).

C33000Choose it when the part is machined in volume.

C44500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C33000 vs C44500: properties

C33000C44500

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
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
331 MPa48 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
124 MPa18 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
65%

Reduction in Area

62%
60%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
60 HB

Hardness, Vickers

58 HV
65 HV

Same in both: Shear Strength 220 MPa31.9 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 105 MPa15.2 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

899°C1,650 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
935°C1,715 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

121 W/m·K69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
111 W/m·K64.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

26 % IACS
25 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in
6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

180%
30%

Weldability

25 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
92 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

50%
40%

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
70 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.1 mm²/s
34.5 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 scaleC33000C44500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC33000C44500
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 C44500 — frequently asked

Is C44500 stronger than C33000?

Yes. C44500 has a typical yield strength of 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C33000 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 331 MPa (48 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C33000 or C44500?

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 C44500?

C33000. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against fair (35/100) for C44500; for welding the order is C44500 first (good, 55/100) then C33000 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C33000 and C44500 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.