Copper Alloy C51000 vs C53800
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51000 and C53800 are both copper alloy grades. C53800 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000, about 3.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C51000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 8% for C53800, and C53800 is harder (165 HB vs 80 HB). On the shop floor, C53800 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C51000 welds better (fair vs poor), and C53800 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51000 (specialty, $$$$$).
C51000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C53800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C51000 vs C53800: 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
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.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 69 W/m·K39.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.8 µm/m·K9.9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 15 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.4 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 20.5 mm²/s
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 | C53800 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C51000 vs C53800 — frequently asked
Is C53800 stronger than C51000?
Yes. C53800 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000 — about 3.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C51000 or C53800?
C53800 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51000 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, C51000 or C53800?
C53800. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for C51000; for welding the order is C51000 first (fair, 45/100) then C53800 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51000 and C53800 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.