Copper Alloy C74500 vs C78200
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C74500 and C78200 are both copper alloy grades. C74500 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) for C78200, about 6% more. C74500 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for C78200, and C74500 is harder (150 HB vs 140 HB). C74500 runs hotter in service (180°C vs 150°C continuous) and C74500 conducts heat better (45 W/m·K vs 40 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C78200 machines more easily (good vs poor) and C74500 welds better (fair vs poor).
C74500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C78200Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
C74500 vs C78200: 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
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 48 GPa7 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Shear Strength 330 MPa47.9 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.92×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.56 µΩ·in
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.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
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)
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 | C74500 | C78200 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C74500 vs C78200 — frequently asked
Is C74500 stronger than C78200?
Yes. C74500 has a typical tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) against 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) for C78200 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, C74500 or C78200?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C74500 or C78200?
C78200. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (30/100) for C74500; for welding the order is C74500 first (fair, 40/100) then C78200 (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C74500 and C78200 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.