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Copper Alloy C65600 vs ERCu

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C65600 and ERCu are both copper alloy grades. C65600 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ERCu, about 138% more; tensile strength follows at 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 225 MPa (32.6 ksi). C65600 is harder — 85 HB against 55 HB for ERCu — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C65600 is lighter (8.53 g/cm³ vs 8.9 g/cm³ for ERCu) and ERCu is stiffer (115 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C65600 welds better (excellent vs very good).

C65600Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

ERCuChoose it when the part sees heat.

C65600 vs ERCu: properties

C65600ERCu

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

38.5 GPa5.6 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
140 GPa20.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
225 MPa32.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

145 MPa21 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
70 J51.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
55 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

50 HRB
—

Reduction in Area

—
60%

Hardness, Vickers

—
58 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 35%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.9 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

970°C1,778 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,025°C1,877 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
250 W/m·K144 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
17.7 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
250°C482 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7 % IACS
40 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in
4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.26 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Weldability

92 / 100
78 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
92 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
92 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 78 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 kg CO₂/kg
3.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

41 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.1 MN·m/kg
12.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

175 kJ/m³
28 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.2 mm²/s
73 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
28

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 scaleERCuC65600

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC65600ERCu
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.

C65600 vs ERCu — frequently asked

Is C65600 stronger than ERCu?

Yes. C65600 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ERCu — about 138% more. Tensile strength is 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) vs 225 MPa (32.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C65600 or ERCu?

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 welds better, C65600 or ERCu?

C65600. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against very good (78/100) for ERCu.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C65600 and ERCu 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.