Copper Alloy C52400 vs C65500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C52400 and C65500 are both copper alloy grades. C52400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) for C65500, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi). In exchange, C65500 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 15% for C52400, and C52400 is harder (180 HB vs 78 HB). C52400 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa) and C52400 conducts heat better (50 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C65500 welds better (excellent vs fair).
C52400Choose it when strength drives the design.
C65500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
C52400 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 115 GPa16.7 Msi · 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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: 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)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 72 / 100
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
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | C52400 | C65500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 9 finishes: Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Gold Plating, Nickel Plating, Painting, Silver Plating, Tin Plating.
C52400 vs C65500 — frequently asked
Is C52400 stronger than C65500?
Yes. C52400 has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) for C65500 — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 400 MPa (58 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C52400 or C65500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C52400 or C65500?
C65500, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for C52400; for welding the order is C65500 first (excellent, 92/100) then C52400 (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C52400 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.