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Copper Alloy C83400 vs C85400

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C83400 and C85400 are both copper alloy grades. C85400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 83 MPa (12 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C83400, about 20% more. C85400 is lighter (8.47 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for C83400) and C83400 conducts heat better (159 W/m·K vs 87 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C85400 machines more easily (excellent vs good), C83400 welds better (fair vs poor), and C83400 forms better (30 vs 15 out of 100).

C83400Choose it when it will be welded.

C85400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C83400 vs C85400: properties

C83400C85400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

96.5 GPa14 Msi
97 GPa14.1 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

69 MPa10 ksi
83 MPa12 ksi

Reduction in Area

30%
28%

Shear Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
186 MPa27 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Compressive Strength

—
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
15 HRB

Same in both: Shear Modulus 37 GPa5.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 234 MPa33.9 ksi · Elongation at Break 35% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 70 MPa10.2 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 50 HB · Hardness, Vickers 53 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,010°C1,850 °F
855°C1,571 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,055°C1,931 °F
940°C1,724 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

159 W/m·K91.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
87 W/m·K50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

376 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F
20.7 µm/m·K11.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

32 % IACS
21.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.39×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.12 µΩ·in
8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.15 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

58 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
80%

Weldability

45 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

72 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb
52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

80%
90%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

27 kN·m/kg
28 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

11 MN·m/kg
11.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

25 kJ/m³
36 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

48.1 mm²/s
27.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

21
10

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 scaleC83400C85400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC83400C85400
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
Chrome PlatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Tin PlatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C83400 vs C85400 — frequently asked

Is C85400 stronger than C83400?

Yes. C85400 has a typical yield strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) against 69 MPa (10 ksi) for C83400 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C83400 or C85400?

C85400 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while C83400 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, C83400 or C85400?

C85400. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (58/100) for C83400; for welding the order is C83400 first (fair, 45/100) then C85400 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C83400 and C85400 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.