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Copper Alloy C55282 vs ERCuSi-A

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C55282 and ERCuSi-A are both copper alloy grades. ERCuSi-A is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for C55282, about 35% more. ERCuSi-A is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 3% for C55282, and C55282 is harder (110 HB vs 85 HB). C55282 is lighter (8.2 g/cm³ vs 8.53 g/cm³ for ERCuSi-A) and ERCuSi-A runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, ERCuSi-A welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

C55282Choose it when weight is the constraint.

ERCuSi-AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C55282 vs ERCuSi-A: properties

C55282ERCuSi-A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

100 GPa14.5 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

38 GPa5.5 Msi
38.5 GPa5.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
38%

Shear Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

110 HB
85 HB

Bulk Modulus

—
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Reduction in Area

—
45%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
145 MPa21 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
45 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
90 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.2 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

645°C1,193 °F
970°C1,778 °F

Liquidus Temperature

727°C1,341 °F
1,025°C1,877 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.5 µm/m·K9.7 µin/in·°F
18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
72 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.26 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
33 / 100

Weldability

10 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
75 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
30%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

125 MJ/kg53,740 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

32 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.2 MN·m/kg
12.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

16 mm²/s
11.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 7

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 scaleERCuSi-A

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC55282ERCuSi-A
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C55282 vs ERCuSi-A — frequently asked

Is ERCuSi-A stronger than C55282?

Yes. ERCuSi-A has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for C55282 — about 35% more.

Which is cheaper, C55282 or ERCuSi-A?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, C55282 or ERCuSi-A?

ERCuSi-A, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 33/100 against 25/100 for C55282; for welding the order is ERCuSi-A first (excellent, 90/100) then C55282 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C55282 and ERCuSi-A 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.