Copper Alloy C51900 vs C65500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C51900 and C65500 are both copper alloy grades. C51900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) for C65500, about 173% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, C65500 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 20% for C51900, and C51900 is harder (155 HB vs 78 HB). C65500 is lighter (8.53 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C51900) and C51900 is stiffer (115 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C65500 welds better (excellent vs fair).
C51900Choose it when strength drives the design.
C65500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
C51900 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: 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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · 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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100
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 | C51900 | C65500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C51900 vs C65500 — frequently asked
Is C51900 stronger than C65500?
Yes. C51900 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) for C65500 — about 173% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C51900 or C65500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, C51900 or C65500?
C65500. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against fair (45/100) for C51900.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C51900 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.