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Copper Alloy C51900 vs C61400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C51900 and C61400 are both copper alloy grades. C51900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for C61400, about 96% more. In exchange, C61400 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 20% for C51900, and C51900 is harder (155 HB vs 140 HB). C61400 is lighter (7.89 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C51900) and C61400 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C61400 welds better (very good vs fair) and C61400 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C51900 (specialty, $$$$$).

C51900Choose it when strength drives the design.

C61400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C51900 vs C61400: properties

C51900C61400

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
110 GPa16 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
525 MPa76.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
45%

Reduction in Area

35%
50%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

155 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

165 HV
150 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Same in both: Shear Strength 340 MPa49.3 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
7.89 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

910°C1,670 °F
1,040°C1,904 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,040°C1,904 °F
1,045°C1,913 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

67 W/m·K38.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
66.6 W/m·K38.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
376 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°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
210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
14 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
1.23×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.84 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
76 / 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
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
50%

Weldability

45 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

59 kN·m/kg
67 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.1 MN·m/kg
14.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

880 kJ/m³
226 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

20.2 mm²/s
22.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
18

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 scaleC51900C61400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC51900C61400
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 C61400 — frequently asked

Is C51900 stronger than C61400?

Yes. C51900 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for C61400 — about 96% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 525 MPa (76.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C51900 or C61400?

C61400 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 welds better, C51900 or C61400?

C61400. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against fair (45/100) for C51900.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51900 and C61400 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.