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Copper Alloy C84400 vs ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84400 and ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 are both copper alloy grades. C84400 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) vs 170 MPa (24.7 ksi). C84400 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 8% for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4, and ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 is harder (60 HB vs 55 HB). C84400 is lighter (8.8 g/cm³ vs 9.2 g/cm³ for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4) and C84400 is stiffer (95 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, C84400 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84400 (specialty, $$$$$).

C84400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

C84400 vs ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4: properties

C84400ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

95 GPa13.8 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
28 GPa4.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

234 MPa33.9 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
8%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Shear Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
48 MPa7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
60 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
—

Reduction in Area

—
8%

Hardness, Vickers

—
63 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
9.2 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
770°C1,418 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
940°C1,724 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-100°C-148 °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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16.4 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.05×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.13 µΩ·in
1.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.18 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

90%
80%

Weldability

20 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
8 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
82 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
60%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

27 kN·m/kg
18 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.8 MN·m/kg
8.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

64 kJ/m³
42 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

21.7 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
6

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 scaleC84400ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84400ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4
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 ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 — frequently asked

Is C84400 stronger than ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4?

Yes. C84400 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 234 MPa (33.9 ksi) vs 170 MPa (24.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84400 or ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4?

ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 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 welds better, C84400 or ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4?

C84400. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (10/100) for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84400 and ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 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.