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Copper Alloy C65600 vs ERCuAl-A2

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C65600 and ERCuAl-A2 are both copper alloy grades. ERCuAl-A2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) for C65600, about 42% more; tensile strength follows at 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi). In exchange, C65600 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for ERCuAl-A2, and ERCuAl-A2 is harder (150 HB vs 85 HB). ERCuAl-A2 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.53 g/cm³ for C65600) and ERCuAl-A2 is stiffer (117 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C65600 welds better (excellent vs very good).

C65600Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

ERCuAl-A2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C65600 vs ERCuAl-A2: properties

C65600ERCuAl-A2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

38.5 GPa5.6 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
25%

Shear Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

145 MPa21 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

85 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

50 HRB
82 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
158 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.53 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
7.58 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

970°C1,778 °F
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,025°C1,877 °F
1,046°C1,915 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
59 W/m·K34.1 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 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
300°C572 °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
13 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in
1.33×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.24 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.26 V
-0.31 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
74 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

92 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

78 / 100
68 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 32 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 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
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.1 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

175 kJ/m³
312 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.2 mm²/s
18.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
18

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 scaleERCuAl-A2C65600

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC65600ERCuAl-A2
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 ERCuAl-A2 — frequently asked

Is ERCuAl-A2 stronger than C65600?

Yes. ERCuAl-A2 has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) for C65600 — about 42% more. Tensile strength is 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) vs 350 MPa (50.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C65600 or ERCuAl-A2?

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 ERCuAl-A2?

C65600. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against very good (72/100) for ERCuAl-A2.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C65600 and ERCuAl-A2 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.