Copper Alloy C51900 vs C53800
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51900 and C53800 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 450 MPa — strength does not separate them. C51900 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for C53800, and C53800 is harder (165 HB vs 155 HB). On the shop floor, C53800 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C51900 welds better (fair vs poor), and C53800 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51900 (specialty, $$$$$).
C51900Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C53800Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
C51900 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 450 MPa65.3 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
Same in both: 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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V · Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
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 | C51900 | C53800 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C51900 vs C53800 — frequently asked
What is the difference between C51900 and C53800?
Copper Alloy C51900 and C53800 are both copper alloy grades. Both yield at about 450 MPa — strength does not separate them. C51900 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for C53800, and C53800 is harder (165 HB vs 155 HB).
Which is cheaper, C51900 or C53800?
C53800 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C51900 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C51900 or C53800?
C53800. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for C51900; for welding the order is C51900 first (fair, 45/100) then C53800 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51900 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.