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Copper Alloy C71500 vs C90700

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C71500 and C90700 are both copper alloy grades. C90700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 152 MPa (22 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C71500, about 9% more. In exchange, C71500 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 12% for C90700, and C71500 is harder (45 HRB vs 41 HRB). C71500 is stiffer (152 GPa vs 110 GPa) and C71500 runs hotter in service (350°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, C90700 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and C71500 welds better (excellent vs poor).

C71500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C90700Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

C71500 vs C90700: properties

C71500C90700

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

152 GPa22 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Shear Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
41 GPa5.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

158 GPa22.9 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
152 MPa22 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
12%

Reduction in Area

55%
12%

Shear Strength

275 MPa39.9 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
10 J7.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

45 HRB
41 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Hardness, Brinell 80 HB · Hardness, Vickers 85 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,171°C2,140 °F
830°C1,526 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,238°C2,260 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F
18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

230 J/g98.9 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
250°C482 °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

4.6 % IACS
10.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.75×10⁻⁷ Ω·m14.8 µΩ·in
1.58×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.22 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.31 V

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
60%

Weldability

85 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
45%

Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

43 kN·m/kg
35 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

17 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

64 kJ/m³
105 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

8.6 mm²/s
15.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
8

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 scaleC90700C71500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC71500C90700
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.

C71500 vs C90700 — frequently asked

Is C90700 stronger than C71500?

Yes. C90700 has a typical yield strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C71500 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C71500 or C90700?

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, C71500 or C90700?

C90700. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for C71500; for welding the order is C71500 first (excellent, 85/100) then C90700 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C71500 and C90700 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.