Copper Alloy C74000 vs C74500
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C74000 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 C74000, about 5% more; tensile strength follows at 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi). C74500 is harder — 80 HRB against 75 HRB for C74000 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C74000 runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, C74000 welds better (good vs fair).
C74000Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.
C74500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
C74000 vs C74500: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 12%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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 Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 62 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 20% · Formability (cold) 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C74000 | C74500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C74000 vs C74500 — frequently asked
Is C74500 stronger than C74000?
Yes. C74500 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for C74000 — about 5% more. Tensile strength is 510 MPa (74 ksi) vs 470 MPa (68.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C74000 or C74500?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, C74000 or C74500?
C74000. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for C74500.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C74000 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.