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Copper Alloy C51000 vs C63000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C51000 and C63000 are both copper alloy grades. C63000 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 15% for C63000, and C63000 is harder (197 HB vs 80 HB). C63000 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.86 g/cm³ for C51000) and C63000 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 110 GPa). On the shop floor, C63000 welds better (good vs fair).

C51000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C63000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C51000 vs C63000: properties

C51000C63000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
108 GPa15.7 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%
15%

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
197 HB

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
—

Reduction in Area

—
25%

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
92 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
7.58 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

954°C1,749 °F
1,043°C1,909 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,049°C1,920 °F
1,054°C1,929 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

69 W/m·K39.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
38.9 W/m·K22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 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
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
78 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
30%

Weldability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

30 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 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
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
100 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.4 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

89 kJ/m³
736 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

20.5 mm²/s
12.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
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 scaleC51000C63000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC51000C63000
Default conditionOHR50
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.

C51000 vs C63000 — frequently asked

Is C63000 stronger than C51000?

Yes. C63000 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 C63000?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, C51000 or C63000?

C63000, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C51000; for welding the order is C63000 first (good, 65/100) then C51000 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51000 and C63000 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.