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Copper Alloy C84800 vs C86500

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84800 and C86500 are both copper alloy grades. C86500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for C84800, about 57% more; tensile strength follows at 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi). In exchange, C84800 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 30% for C86500, and C86500 is harder (105 HB vs 55 HB). C86500 is stiffer (105 GPa vs 86 GPa) and C86500 conducts heat better (87 W/m·K vs 72 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C84800 machines more easily (excellent vs poor) and C86500 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84800 (specialty, $$$$$).

C84800Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

C86500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C84800 vs C86500: properties

C84800C86500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

86 GPa12.5 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

32 GPa4.6 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

262 MPa38 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

124 MPa18 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
30%

Shear Strength

190 MPa27.6 ksi
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
105 HB

Reduction in Area

—
25%

Compressive Strength

—
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
62 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
110 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.55 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
862°C1,584 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,010°C1,850 °F
880°C1,616 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
87 W/m·K50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F
21.6 µm/m·K12 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16 % IACS
22 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.25 µΩ·in
7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.29 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

88 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
26%

Formability (cold)

—
15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
50 MJ/kg21,496 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

85%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
59 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.1 MN·m/kg
12.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

89 kJ/m³
181 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

22.3 mm²/s
27.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
19

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 scaleC84800C86500

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84800C86500
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.

C84800 vs C86500 — frequently asked

Is C86500 stronger than C84800?

Yes. C86500 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for C84800 — about 57% more. Tensile strength is 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84800 or C86500?

C86500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C84800 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C84800 or C86500?

C84800. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against poor (30/100) for C86500; for welding the order is C86500 first (poor, 25/100) then C84800 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84800 and C86500 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.