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Copper Alloy C77300 vs ERCuAl-A2

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C77300 and ERCuAl-A2 are both copper alloy grades. ERCuAl-A2 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for C77300, about 22% more. ERCuAl-A2 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 12% for C77300, and ERCuAl-A2 is harder (150 HB vs 130 HB). ERCuAl-A2 is lighter (7.58 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for C77300) and ERCuAl-A2 conducts heat better (59 W/m·K vs 45 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ERCuAl-A2 welds better (very good vs good).

ERCuAl-A2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C77300 vs ERCuAl-A2: properties

C77300ERCuAl-A2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
25%

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

130 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

72 HRB
82 HRB

Bulk Modulus

—
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
40 J29.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
158 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
7.58 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

921°C1,690 °F
1,030°C1,886 °F

Liquidus Temperature

935°C1,715 °F
1,046°C1,915 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
59 W/m·K34.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19.5 µm/m·K10.8 µin/in·°F
16.2 µm/m·K9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

190 J/g81.7 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

7 % IACS
13 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
1.33×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.24 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.31 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
74 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
32 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
68 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.8 MN·m/kg
15.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

315 kJ/m³
312 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
18.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
18

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 scaleERCuAl-A2C77300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC77300ERCuAl-A2
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.

C77300 vs ERCuAl-A2 — frequently asked

Is ERCuAl-A2 stronger than C77300?

Yes. ERCuAl-A2 has a typical tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for C77300 — about 22% more.

Which is cheaper, C77300 or ERCuAl-A2?

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, C77300 or ERCuAl-A2?

C77300. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (32/100) for ERCuAl-A2; for welding the order is ERCuAl-A2 first (very good, 72/100) then C77300 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C77300 and ERCuAl-A2 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.