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Copper Alloy C51000 vs C62500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C51000 and C62500 are both copper alloy grades. C62500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000, about 196% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C51000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 2% for C62500, and C62500 is harder (240 HB vs 80 HB). C62500 is lighter (7.16 g/cm³ vs 8.86 g/cm³ for C51000) and C62500 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C51000 welds better (fair vs poor) and C62500 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.

C62500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C51000 vs C62500: properties

C51000C62500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
114 GPa16.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

60%
2%

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
250 HV

Reduction in Area

—
4%

Compressive Strength

—
900 MPa131 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
5 J3.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
99 HRB

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
22 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
7.16 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

954°C1,749 °F
1,035°C1,895 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,049°C1,920 °F
1,050°C1,922 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

69 W/m·K39.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
41.9 W/m·K24.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.8 µm/m·K9.9 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
300°C572 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
2.16×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
22 / 100

Weldability

45 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

30 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
25 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

68 MJ/kg29,235 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.3 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
106 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.4 MN·m/kg
15.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

89 kJ/m³
755 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

20.5 mm²/s
15.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
17

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 scaleC51000C62500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC51000C62500
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionO—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

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

C51000 vs C62500 — frequently asked

Is C62500 stronger than C51000?

Yes. C62500 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000 — about 196% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C51000 or C62500?

C62500 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 C62500?

C51000. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for C62500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51000 and C62500 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.