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Copper Alloy C50700 vs C51900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C50700 and C51900 are both copper alloy grades. C50700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for C51900, about 12% more; tensile strength follows at 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, C51900 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 4% for C50700, and C50700 is harder (170 HB vs 155 HB). C51900 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and C50700 conducts heat better (130 W/m·K vs 67 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C50700 machines more easily (fair vs poor), C51900 welds better (45 vs 35 out of 100), and C50700 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51900 (specialty, $$$$$).

C50700Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C51900Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C50700 vs C51900: properties

C50700C51900

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

117 GPa17 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

122 GPa17.7 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

550 MPa79.8 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

505 MPa73.2 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

4%
20%

Reduction in Area

12%
35%

Compressive Strength

515 MPa74.7 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

12 J8.9 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
155 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

180 HV
165 HV

Same in both: 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)

1,025°C1,877 °F
910°C1,670 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,060°C1,940 °F
1,040°C1,904 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
67 W/m·K38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

30 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.75×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.26 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

24%
20%

Weldability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

62 kN·m/kg
59 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.2 MN·m/kg
13.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,090 kJ/m³
880 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

38.5 mm²/s
20.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

34
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 scaleC51900C50700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC50700C51900
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.

C50700 vs C51900 — frequently asked

Is C50700 stronger than C51900?

Yes. C50700 has a typical yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for C51900 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C50700 or C51900?

C50700 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, C50700 or C51900?

C50700. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for C51900; for welding the order is C51900 first (fair, 45/100) then C50700 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C50700 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.