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Copper Alloy C70600 vs C72950

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C70600 and C72950 are both copper alloy grades. C72950 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600, about 6.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C70600 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C72950, and C72950 is harder (300 HB vs 65 HB). C72950 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 124 GPa) and C70600 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 260°C continuous). On the shop floor, C72950 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C70600 welds better (excellent vs poor).

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

C72950Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C70600 vs C72950: properties

C70600C72950

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
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

120 MPa17.4 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

60%
25%

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
345 MPa50 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

65 HB
300 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

70 HV
320 HV

Compressive Strength

—
760 MPa110 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
32 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,100°C2,012 °F
1,040°C1,904 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,145°C2,093 °F
1,130°C2,066 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
32 W/m·K18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
260°C500 °F

Min Service Temperature

-195°C-319 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 200 J/g86 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.82×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.17 µΩ·in
2.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.46 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
60%

Weldability

92 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb
68 MJ/kg29,235 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
94 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.9 MN·m/kg
15.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

58 kJ/m³
1,878 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
9.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
12

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 scaleC70600C72950

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC70600C72950
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 C72950 — frequently asked

Is C72950 stronger than C70600?

Yes. C72950 has a typical yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600 — about 6.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C70600 or C72950?

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, C70600 or C72950?

C72950. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against poor (28/100) for C70600; for welding the order is C70600 first (excellent, 92/100) then C72950 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C70600 and C72950 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.