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Copper Alloy C84800 vs ZCuPb20Sn5

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84800 and ZCuPb20Sn5 are both copper alloy grades. C84800 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for ZCuPb20Sn5, about 91% more; tensile strength follows at 262 MPa (38 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi). C84800 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 9% for ZCuPb20Sn5. C84800 is lighter (8.55 g/cm³ vs 9.35 g/cm³ for ZCuPb20Sn5) and C84800 is stiffer (86 GPa vs 72 GPa). On the shop floor, C84800 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and ZCuPb20Sn5 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C84800 (specialty, $$$$$).

C84800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

ZCuPb20Sn5Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

C84800 vs ZCuPb20Sn5: properties

C84800ZCuPb20Sn5

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

86 GPa12.5 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

32 GPa4.6 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

262 MPa38 ksi
175 MPa25.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

124 MPa18 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
9%

Shear Strength

190 MPa27.6 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Compressive Strength

—
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
10 J7.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
58 HV

Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 55 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.55 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
9.35 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
760°C1,400 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,010°C1,850 °F
925°C1,697 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
59 W/m·K34.1 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

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
150 J/g64.5 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.25 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)

-0.25 V
-0.28 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
48 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

88 / 100
92 / 100

Weldability

20 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
80%

Formability (cold)

—
5 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

85%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
19 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.1 MN·m/kg
7.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

89 kJ/m³
29 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

22.3 mm²/s
16.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
8

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 scaleC84800ZCuPb20Sn5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84800ZCuPb20Sn5
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 ZCuPb20Sn5 — frequently asked

Is C84800 stronger than ZCuPb20Sn5?

Yes. C84800 has a typical yield strength of 124 MPa (18 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for ZCuPb20Sn5 — about 91% more. Tensile strength is 262 MPa (38 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84800 or ZCuPb20Sn5?

ZCuPb20Sn5 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 welds better, C84800 or ZCuPb20Sn5?

C84800. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (10/100) for ZCuPb20Sn5.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84800 and ZCuPb20Sn5 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.