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Copper Alloy C71000 vs C74500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C71000 and C74500 are both copper alloy grades. C74500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C71000, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi). In exchange, C71000 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C74500, and C74500 is harder (150 HB vs 75 HB). C71000 is stiffer (138 GPa vs 127 GPa) and C71000 runs hotter in service (320°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, C74500 machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and C71000 welds better (excellent vs fair).

C71000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C74500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C71000 vs C74500: properties

C71000C74500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

138 GPa20 Msi
127 GPa18.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

52 GPa7.5 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

132 GPa19.1 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

65%
—

Shear Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

40 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

80 HV
158 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,099°C2,010 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,149°C2,100 °F
1,021°C1,870 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

37 W/m·K21.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.6 µm/m·K8.7 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)

320°C608 °F
180°C356 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6.5 % IACS
9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.65×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.4 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)

-0.27 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

75 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Polishability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
40%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
58 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.4 MN·m/kg
14.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

44 kJ/m³
630 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.9 mm²/s
13.7 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 scaleC74500C71000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC71000C74500
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.

C71000 vs C74500 — frequently asked

Is C74500 stronger than C71000?

Yes. C74500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C71000 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 340 MPa (49.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C71000 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, C71000 or C74500?

C74500, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for C71000; for welding the order is C71000 first (excellent, 85/100) then C74500 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C71000 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.