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Copper Alloy C84400 vs C90900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84400 and C90900 are both copper alloy grades. C90900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 152 MPa (22 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi). In exchange, C84400 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 5% for C90900, and C90900 is harder (80 HB vs 55 HB). C90900 is stiffer (103 GPa vs 95 GPa) and C90900 runs hotter in service (260°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C84400 machines more easily (excellent vs poor) and C90900 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84400 (specialty, $$$$$).

C84400Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

C90900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C84400 vs C90900: properties

C84400C90900

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

95 GPa13.8 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
38 GPa5.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
108 GPa15.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

234 MPa33.9 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
152 MPa22 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
5%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Shear Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
7 J5.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
80 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
42 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
6%

Hardness, Vickers

—
85 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.79 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
830°C1,526 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
998°C1,828 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
71 W/m·K41 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
260°C500 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16.4 % IACS
10.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.05×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.13 µΩ·in
1.64×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.46 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.31 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

90%
30%

Weldability

20 / 100
22 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
72 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb
85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.2 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

27 kN·m/kg
31 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.8 MN·m/kg
11.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

64 kJ/m³
112 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

21.7 mm²/s
21.4 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scaleC84400C90900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84400C90900
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
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.

C84400 vs C90900 — frequently asked

Is C90900 stronger than C84400?

Yes. C90900 has a typical yield strength of 152 MPa (22 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84400 or C90900?

C90900 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C84400 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C84400 or C90900?

C84400. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against poor (32/100) for C90900.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84400 and C90900 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.