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Copper Alloy C52100 vs C61000

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C52100 and C61000 are both copper alloy grades. C52100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C61000, about 83% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). In exchange, C61000 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 10% for C52100, and C52100 is harder (170 HB vs 160 HB). C61000 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C52100) and C61000 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 110 GPa). On the shop floor, C61000 welds better (very good vs fair) and C61000 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C52100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C52100Choose it when strength drives the design.

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

C52100 vs C61000: properties

C52100C61000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
118 GPa17.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

660 MPa95.7 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
25%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
168 HV

Reduction in Area

—
40%

Compressive Strength

—
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Same in both: Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 230 MPa33.4 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell B 87 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

854°C1,569 °F
1,046°C1,915 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,054°C1,929 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

62 W/m·K35.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
62.8 W/m·K36.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
250°C482 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb

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.

Electrical Conductivity

13 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.33×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.24 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 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.

Weldability

40 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,556 kJ/m³
438 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

18.7 mm²/s
22 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
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 scaleC52100C61000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC52100C61000
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.

C52100 vs C61000 — frequently asked

Is C52100 stronger than C61000?

Yes. C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for C61000 — about 83% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C52100 or C61000?

C61000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C52100 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C52100 or C61000?

C61000. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against fair (40/100) for C52100.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C52100 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.