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Copper Alloy C84400 vs ZCuSn10Pb1

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84400 and ZCuSn10Pb1 are both copper alloy grades. ZCuSn10Pb1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi). In exchange, C84400 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 8% for ZCuSn10Pb1, and ZCuSn10Pb1 is harder (85 HB vs 55 HB). ZCuSn10Pb1 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 95 GPa) and ZCuSn10Pb1 runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C84400 machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and ZCuSn10Pb1 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.

ZCuSn10Pb1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C84400 vs ZCuSn10Pb1: properties

C84400ZCuSn10Pb1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

95 GPa13.8 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
40 GPa5.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

234 MPa33.9 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

110 MPa16 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

26%
8%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Shear Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
85 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

25 HRB
48 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
10%

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
30 MPa·√m27.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

—
90 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
830°C1,526 °F

Liquidus Temperature

954°C1,749 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Same in both: Density 8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

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
250°C482 °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 · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °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
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
50 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

90%
55%

Weldability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb
68 MJ/kg29,235 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
280 L/kg33.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

27 kN·m/kg
30 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.8 MN·m/kg
11.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

64 kJ/m³
98 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 scaleC84400ZCuSn10Pb1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84400ZCuSn10Pb1
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 ZCuSn10Pb1 — frequently asked

Is ZCuSn10Pb1 stronger than C84400?

Yes. ZCuSn10Pb1 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 110 MPa (16 ksi) for C84400 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) vs 234 MPa (33.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84400 or ZCuSn10Pb1?

ZCuSn10Pb1 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 ZCuSn10Pb1?

C84400. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against fair (50/100) for ZCuSn10Pb1; for welding the order is ZCuSn10Pb1 first (poor, 25/100) then C84400 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84400 and ZCuSn10Pb1 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.