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Copper Alloy C72200 vs C74400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C72200 and C74400 are both copper alloy grades. C74400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C72200, about 193% more; tensile strength follows at 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) vs 385 MPa (55.8 ksi). In exchange, C72200 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C74400, and C74400 is harder (138 HB vs 78 HB). C72200 is stiffer (145 GPa vs 124 GPa) and C72200 runs hotter in service (320°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C72200 welds better (very good vs fair).

C72200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C74400Choose it when strength drives the design.

C72200 vs C74400: properties

C72200C74400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
124 GPa18 Msi

Shear Modulus

55 GPa8 Msi
46 GPa6.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

385 MPa55.8 ksi
515 MPa74.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

100 J73.8 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

78 HB
138 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
75 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

82 HV
145 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.94 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,130°C2,066 °F
1,020°C1,868 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,180°C2,156 °F
1,065°C1,949 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.7 µm/m·K8.7 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb
200 J/g86 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

320°C608 °F
200°C392 °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

5.5 % IACS
9.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.13×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.3 µΩ·in
1.76×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.93 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.24 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

80 / 100
52 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
90 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

92 MJ/kg39,553 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

43 kN·m/kg
59 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

16.2 MN·m/kg
14.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

78 kJ/m³
781 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.1 mm²/s
13.7 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 scaleC74400C72200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC72200C74400
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.

C72200 vs C74400 — frequently asked

Is C74400 stronger than C72200?

Yes. C74400 has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C72200 — about 193% more. Tensile strength is 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) vs 385 MPa (55.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C72200 or C74400?

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, C72200 or C74400?

C72200, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C74400; for welding the order is C72200 first (very good, 80/100) then C74400 (fair, 52/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C72200 and C74400 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.