FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C70600 vs C78200

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C70600 and C78200 are both copper alloy grades. C78200 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 407 MPa (59 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600, about 3.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi). In exchange, C70600 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 10% for C78200, and C78200 is harder (140 HB vs 65 HB). C70600 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, C78200 machines more easily (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.

C78200Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C70600 vs C78200: properties

C70600C78200

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

124 GPa18 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

47 GPa6.8 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
125 GPa18.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

310 MPa45 ksi
483 MPa70.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

120 MPa17.4 ksi
407 MPa59 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
10%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

125 MPa18.1 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

65 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
76 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

70 HV
148 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,100°C2,012 °F
966°C1,771 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,145°C2,093 °F
1,010°C1,850 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F
16.7 µm/m·K9.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-195°C-319 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.82×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.17 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)

-0.28 V
-0.24 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
62 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
60%

Weldability

92 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb
72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.9 MN·m/kg
14.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

58 kJ/m³
647 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.9 mm²/s
12.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
9

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 scaleC70600C78200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC70600C78200
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 C78200 — frequently asked

Is C78200 stronger than C70600?

Yes. C78200 has a typical yield strength of 407 MPa (59 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for C70600 — about 3.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) vs 310 MPa (45 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C70600 or C78200?

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 C78200?

C78200. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (28/100) for C70600; for welding the order is C70600 first (excellent, 92/100) then C78200 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C70600 and C78200 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.