Copper Alloy C51000 vs C51100
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51000 and C51100 are both copper alloy grades. C51100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C51000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 6% for C51100, and C51100 is harder (150 HB vs 80 HB). C51000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and C51100 conducts heat better (84 W/m·K vs 69 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C51100 welds better (good vs fair) and C51100 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51000 (specialty, $$$$$).
C51000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
C51100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
C51000 vs C51100: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Shear Modulus 41 GPa5.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.8 µm/m·K9.9 µin/in·°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).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.4 MN·m/kg
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 | C51000 | C51100 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C51000 vs C51100 — frequently asked
Is C51100 stronger than C51000?
Yes. C51100 has a typical yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000 — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C51000 or C51100?
C51100 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51000 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, C51000 or C51100?
C51100. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for C51000.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51000 and C51100 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.