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Copper Alloy C70260 vs C74500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C70260 and C74500 are both copper alloy grades. C70260 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 535 MPa (77.6 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for C74500, about 34% more; tensile strength follows at 595 MPa (86.3 ksi) vs 510 MPa (74 ksi). In exchange, C74500 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 9% for C70260, and C70260 is harder (175 HB vs 150 HB). C70260 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous) and C70260 conducts heat better (190 W/m·K vs 45 W/m·K).

C70260Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C74500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C70260 vs C74500: properties

C70260C74500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
127 GPa18.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

49 GPa7.1 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

595 MPa86.3 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

535 MPa77.6 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

9%
12%

Shear Strength

370 MPa53.7 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

89 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
158 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.83 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.73 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,085°C1,985 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,100°C2,012 °F
1,021°C1,870 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

190 W/m·K110 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
180°C356 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

50 % IACS
9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.45×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.36 µΩ·in
1.92×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.56 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.26 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Weldability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

65 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

67 kN·m/kg
58 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.7 MN·m/kg
14.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,101 kJ/m³
630 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

57.1 mm²/s
13.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

49
11

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 scaleC74500C70260

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC70260C74500
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.

C70260 vs C74500 — frequently asked

Is C70260 stronger than C74500?

Yes. C70260 has a typical yield strength of 535 MPa (77.6 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for C74500 — about 34% more. Tensile strength is 595 MPa (86.3 ksi) vs 510 MPa (74 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C70260 or C74500?

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, C70260 or C74500?

C70260. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (30/100) for C74500; for welding the order is C70260 first (fair, 45/100) then C74500 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C70260 and C74500 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.