Copper Alloy C52100 vs C52400
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C52100 and C52400 are both copper alloy grades, both spring cu alloy. Both yield at about 585 MPa — strength does not separate them. C52400 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 10% for C52100, and C52400 is harder (180 HB vs 170 HB). C52100 conducts heat better (62 W/m·K vs 50 W/m·K).
C52400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C52100 vs C52400: 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)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
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 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 585 MPa84.8 ksi · Hardness, Vickers 190 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,000°C1,832 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °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).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 88 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 12.5 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 1,556 kJ/m³
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 | C52100 | C52400 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C52100 vs C52400 — frequently asked
What is the difference between C52100 and C52400?
Copper Alloy C52100 and C52400 are both copper alloy grades, both spring cu alloy. Both yield at about 585 MPa — strength does not separate them. C52400 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 10% for C52100, and C52400 is harder (180 HB vs 170 HB).
Which is cheaper, C52100 or C52400?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C52100 or C52400?
C52100, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for C52400; for welding the order is C52100 first (fair, 40/100) then C52400 (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C52100 and C52400 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.