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Copper Alloy C52100 vs C62400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C52100 and C62400 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 C62400, about 89% more. In exchange, C62400 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 10% for C52100, and C62400 is harder (190 HB vs 170 HB). C62400 is lighter (7.45 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C52100) and C62400 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C62400 welds better (good vs fair) and C62400 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C52100 (specialty, $$$$$).

C52100Choose it when strength drives the design.

C62400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

C52100 vs C62400: properties

C52100C62400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
118 GPa17.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

585 MPa84.8 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Elongation at Break

10%
14%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

170 HB
190 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
92 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
—

Reduction in Area

—
20%

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Shear Modulus 41 GPa5.9 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 660 MPa95.7 ksi · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

854°C1,569 °F
1,015°C1,859 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,038°C1,900 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

62 W/m·K35.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 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

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
220 J/g94.6 BTU/lb

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
78 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
89 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
14.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,556 kJ/m³
437 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

18.7 mm²/s
14.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

20
17

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 scaleC52100C62400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC52100C62400
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 C62400 — frequently asked

Is C52100 stronger than C62400?

Yes. C52100 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for C62400 — about 89% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 660 MPa (95.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C52100 or C62400?

C62400 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 is easier to machine, C52100 or C62400?

C52100, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C62400; for welding the order is C62400 first (good, 65/100) then C52100 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C52100 and C62400 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.