Copper Alloy C51000 vs C65500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51000 and C65500 are both copper alloy grades. C65500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). C65500 is lighter (8.53 g/cm³ vs 8.86 g/cm³ for C51000) and C51000 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C65500 welds better (excellent vs fair).
C65500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
C51000 vs C65500: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 60% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 150 MPa21.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °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
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
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | C65500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | O | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C51000 vs C65500 — frequently asked
Is C65500 stronger than C51000?
Yes. C65500 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C51000 — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 400 MPa (58 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C51000 or C65500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, C51000 or C65500?
C65500. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against fair (45/100) for C51000.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51000 and C65500 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.