Copper Alloy C51100 vs C52100
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51100 and C52100 are both copper alloy grades. C52100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) for C51100, about 34% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). C52100 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 6% for C51100, and C52100 is harder (170 HB vs 150 HB). C52100 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and C51100 conducts heat better (84 W/m·K vs 62 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C51100 welds better (good vs fair) and C51100 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C52100 (specialty, $$$$$).
C51100Choose it when it will be welded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C52100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C51100 vs C52100: 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
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.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · 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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 20
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 | C51100 | C52100 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Tin Plating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C51100 vs C52100 — frequently asked
Is C52100 stronger than C51100?
Yes. C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) for C51100 — about 34% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C51100 or C52100?
C51100 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C52100 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C51100 or C52100?
C52100, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for C51100; for welding the order is C51100 first (good, 55/100) then C52100 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51100 and C52100 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.