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Copper Alloy C52100 vs C61900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C52100 and C61900 are both copper alloy grades. C52100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for C61900, about 89% more. In exchange, C61900 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 10% for C52100, and C52100 is harder (190 HV vs 180 HV). C61900 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C52100) and C61900 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 110 GPa). On the shop floor, C61900 welds better (very good vs fair) and C61900 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C52100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C52100Choose it when strength drives the design.

C61900Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C52100 vs C61900: properties

C52100C61900

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

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

660 MPa95.7 ksi
630 MPa91.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
25%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
86 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
180 HV

Reduction in Area

—
30%

Compressive Strength

—
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 170 HB

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
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,050°C1,922 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

62 W/m·K35.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
56 W/m·K32.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
375 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°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
300°C572 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.33×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.24 µΩ·in
2.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.46 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.31 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
30%

Weldability

40 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
65 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
83 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,556 kJ/m³
411 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

18.7 mm²/s
19.7 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 scaleC52100C61900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC52100C61900
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 C61900 — frequently asked

Is C52100 stronger than C61900?

Yes. C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for C61900 — about 89% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 630 MPa (91.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C52100 or C61900?

C61900 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 C61900?

C61900. 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 C61900 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.