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Copper Alloy C70600 vs C72500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C70600 and C72500 are both copper alloy grades. C72500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600, about 4.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C70600 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 9% for C72500, and C72500 is harder (172 HV vs 70 HV). C72500 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 124 GPa) and C70600 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C70600 welds better (excellent vs good).

C70600Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C72500Choose it when strength drives the design.

C70600 vs C72500: properties

C70600C72500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

124 GPa18 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Shear Modulus

47 GPa6.8 Msi
52 GPa7.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
138 GPa20 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

120 MPa17.4 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
9%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

65 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
76 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

70 HV
172 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.89 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,100°C2,012 °F
1,060°C1,940 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,145°C2,093 °F
1,127°C2,061 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-195°C-319 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.82×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.17 µΩ·in
1.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.18 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.22 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
30%

Weldability

92 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
90 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
60 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.9 MN·m/kg
15.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

58 kJ/m³
835 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
13.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
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 scaleC70600C72500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC70600C72500
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.

C70600 vs C72500 — frequently asked

Is C72500 stronger than C70600?

Yes. C72500 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600 — about 4.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C70600 or C72500?

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, C70600 or C72500?

C70600. Its weldability rates excellent (92/100) against good (55/100) for C72500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C70600 and C72500 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.