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Copper Alloy C55283 vs ERCuSi-A

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C55283 and ERCuSi-A are both copper alloy grades. ERCuSi-A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C55283, about 30% more; tensile strength follows at 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). ERCuSi-A is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 6% for C55283, and C55283 is harder (95 HB vs 85 HB). C55283 is lighter (8.06 g/cm³ vs 8.53 g/cm³ for ERCuSi-A) and C55283 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, ERCuSi-A welds better (excellent vs not recommended).

C55283Choose it when weight is the constraint.

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

C55283 vs ERCuSi-A: properties

C55283ERCuSi-A

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
38.5 GPa5.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
38%

Shear Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
90 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
115 GPa16.7 Msi

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.06 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

643°C1,189 °F
970°C1,778 °F

Liquidus Temperature

718°C1,324 °F
1,025°C1,877 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

60 W/m·K34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °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).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.2 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
72 / 100

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)

40 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
75 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
30%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

9.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.6 MN·m/kg
12.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

102 kJ/m³
185 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

19.6 mm²/s
11.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
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-AC55283

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC55283ERCuSi-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.

C55283 vs ERCuSi-A — frequently asked

Is ERCuSi-A stronger than C55283?

Yes. ERCuSi-A has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C55283 — about 30% more. Tensile strength is 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C55283 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, C55283 or ERCuSi-A?

ERCuSi-A, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 33/100 against 25/100 for C55283; for welding the order is ERCuSi-A first (excellent, 90/100) then C55283 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C55283 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.