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Copper Alloy C72200 vs C74500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C72200 and C74500 are both copper alloy grades. C74500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C72200, about 167% more; tensile strength follows at 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 385 MPa (55.8 ksi). In exchange, C72200 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for C74500, and C74500 is harder (150 HB vs 78 HB). C72200 is stiffer (145 GPa vs 127 GPa) and C72200 runs hotter in service (320°C vs 180°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.

C74500Choose it when strength drives the design.

C72200 vs C74500: properties

C72200C74500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
127 GPa18.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

55 GPa8 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

385 MPa55.8 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
12%

Reduction in Area

60%
—

Shear Strength

250 MPa36.3 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

100 J73.8 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

78 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

35 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

82 HV
158 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,130°C2,066 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,180°C2,156 °F
1,021°C1,870 °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
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

320°C608 °F
180°C356 °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 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3.13×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.3 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)

-0.24 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

80 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
90 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

92 MJ/kg39,553 BTU/lb
78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.2 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 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)

43 kN·m/kg
58 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

16.2 MN·m/kg
14.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

78 kJ/m³
630 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.1 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 scaleC74500C72200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC72200C74500
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 C74500 — frequently asked

Is C74500 stronger than C72200?

Yes. C74500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) for C72200 — about 167% more. Tensile strength is 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 385 MPa (55.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C72200 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 welds better, C72200 or C74500?

C72200. Its weldability rates very good (80/100) against fair (40/100) for C74500.

Ready to make it?

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