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Copper Alloy C73200 vs C74500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C73200 and C74500 are both copper alloy grades. C74500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for C73200, about 5% more; tensile strength follows at 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). C74500 is harder — 150 HB against 130 HB for C73200 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C73200 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous) and C73200 conducts electricity better (11 % IACS vs 9 % IACS). On the shop floor, C73200 welds better (good vs fair) and C73200 forms better (very good vs good).

C73200Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

C74500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

C73200 vs C74500: properties

C73200C74500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
127 GPa18.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

47 GPa6.8 Msi
48 GPa7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Reduction in Area

30%
—

Compressive Strength

390 MPa56.6 ksi
—

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

175 MPa25.4 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

130 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

70 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

140 HV
158 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 12%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,060°C1,940 °F
954°C1,749 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,100°C2,012 °F
1,021°C1,870 °F

Same in both: Density 8.73 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

200 J/g86 BTU/lb
195 J/g83.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
180°C356 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

11 % IACS
9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.18 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)

-0.25 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Polishability 90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.3 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
58 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.3 MN·m/kg
14.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

578 kJ/m³
630 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
11

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 13.7 mm²/s

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 scaleC74500C73200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC73200C74500
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.

C73200 vs C74500 — frequently asked

Is C74500 stronger than C73200?

Yes. C74500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for C73200 — about 5% more. Tensile strength is 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C73200 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, C73200 or C74500?

C74500, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for C73200; for welding the order is C73200 first (good, 55/100) then C74500 (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C73200 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.