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Copper Alloy C51900 vs C61000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C51900 and C61000 are both copper alloy grades. C51900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C61000, about 41% more. In exchange, C61000 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for C51900, and C61000 is harder (87 HRB vs 78 HRB). C61000 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C51900) and C61000 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C61000 welds better (very good vs fair) and C61000 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51900 (specialty, $$$$$).

C51900Choose it when strength drives the design.

C61000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C51900 vs C61000: properties

C51900C61000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

43 GPa6.2 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
118 GPa17.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
25%

Reduction in Area

35%
40%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Shear Strength

340 MPa49.3 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
87 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

165 HV
168 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

910°C1,670 °F
1,046°C1,915 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,040°C1,904 °F
1,054°C1,929 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

67 W/m·K38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
62.8 W/m·K36.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb
220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
250°C482 °F

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.

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).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
78 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

45 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
35 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Formability (cold) 55 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

59 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

880 kJ/m³
438 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

20.2 mm²/s
22 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
19

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 scaleC51900C61000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC51900C61000
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default condition——
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.

C51900 vs C61000 — frequently asked

Is C51900 stronger than C61000?

Yes. C51900 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C61000 — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C51900 or C61000?

C61000 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 C61000?

C61000, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C51900; for welding the order is C61000 first (very good, 75/100) then C51900 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51900 and C61000 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.