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Copper Alloy C71500 vs GRCop-84

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C71500 and GRCop-84 are both copper alloy grades. GRCop-84 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C71500, about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). In exchange, C71500 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 22% for GRCop-84, and GRCop-84 is harder (140 HB vs 80 HB). C71500 is stiffer (152 GPa vs 128 GPa) and GRCop-84 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, GRCop-84 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and C71500 welds better (excellent vs good).

C71500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

GRCop-84Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C71500 vs GRCop-84: properties

C71500GRCop-84

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

152 GPa22 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

158 GPa22.9 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
22%

Reduction in Area

55%
—

Shear Strength

275 MPa39.9 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
140 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

45 HRB
78 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
150 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,171°C2,140 °F
1,070°C1,958 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,238°C2,260 °F
1,090°C1,994 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
285 W/m·K165 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)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

230 J/g98.9 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

350°C662 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

4.6 % IACS
65 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.75×10⁻⁷ Ω·m14.8 µΩ·in
2.65×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.04 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
40 / 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%
40%

Weldability

85 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

43 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

17 MN·m/kg
14.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

64 kJ/m³
689 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

8.6 mm²/s
85.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
72

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 scaleGRCop-84C71500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC71500GRCop-84
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 GRCop-84 — frequently asked

Is GRCop-84 stronger than C71500?

Yes. GRCop-84 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) for C71500 — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C71500 or GRCop-84?

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 GRCop-84?

GRCop-84. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for C71500; for welding the order is C71500 first (excellent, 85/100) then GRCop-84 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C71500 and GRCop-84 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.