Copper Alloy C36000 vs C38500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C36000 and C38500 are both copper alloy grades. C36000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for C38500, about 82% more. In exchange, C38500 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for C36000, and C36000 is harder (115 HB vs 100 HB). On the shop floor, C36000 machines more easily (100 vs 90 out of 100) and C36000 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C38500 (high, $$$$).
C36000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C38500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C36000 vs C38500: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 97 GPa14.1 Msi · Shear Modulus 37 GPa5.4 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 80%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C36000 | C38500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | H02 | As Extruded |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C36000 vs C38500 — frequently asked
Is C36000 stronger than C38500?
Yes. C36000 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for C38500 — about 82% more. Tensile strength is 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C36000 or C38500?
C36000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C38500 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, C36000 or C38500?
C36000, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 100/100 against 90/100 for C38500.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C36000 and C38500 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.