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Copper Alloy C50200 vs C51900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C50200 and C51900 are both copper alloy grades. C51900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C50200, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 370 MPa (53.7 ksi). C51900 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 12% for C50200, and C51900 is harder (155 HB vs 112 HB). C51900 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and C50200 conducts heat better (215 W/m·K vs 67 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C50200 welds better (good vs fair) and C50200 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51900 (specialty, $$$$$).

C50200Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C51900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C50200 vs C51900: properties

C50200C51900

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

320 MPa46.4 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
20%

Reduction in Area

40%
35%

Compressive Strength

325 MPa47.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

112 HB
155 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

62 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

120 HV
165 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,060°C1,940 °F
910°C1,670 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,080°C1,976 °F
1,040°C1,904 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

215 W/m·K124 BTU/hr·ft·°F
67 W/m·K38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.8 µm/m·K9.9 µin/in·°F
18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
200°C392 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

55 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.13×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.23 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.9 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

42 kN·m/kg
59 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.9 MN·m/kg
13.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

445 kJ/m³
880 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

64.1 mm²/s
20.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

39
16

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 scaleC51900C50200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC50200C51900
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Tin Plating—Yes

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C50200 vs C51900 — frequently asked

Is C51900 stronger than C50200?

Yes. C51900 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C50200 — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 370 MPa (53.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C50200 or C51900?

C50200 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51900 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C50200 or C51900?

C50200, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C51900; for welding the order is C50200 first (good, 55/100) then C51900 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C50200 and C51900 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.