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Copper Alloy C84800 vs ZCuSn10Zn2

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C84800 and ZCuSn10Zn2 are both copper alloy grades. ZCuSn10Zn2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for C84800, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi). In exchange, C84800 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 18% for ZCuSn10Zn2, and ZCuSn10Zn2 is harder (75 HB vs 55 HB). ZCuSn10Zn2 is stiffer (103 GPa vs 86 GPa) and ZCuSn10Zn2 runs hotter in service (260°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, C84800 machines more easily (excellent vs good), ZCuSn10Zn2 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100), and ZCuSn10Zn2 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.

ZCuSn10Zn2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C84800 vs ZCuSn10Zn2: properties

C84800ZCuSn10Zn2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

86 GPa12.5 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

32 GPa4.6 Msi
38 GPa5.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

262 MPa38 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

124 MPa18 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
18%

Shear Strength

190 MPa27.6 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

76 MPa11 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

55 HB
75 HB

Compressive Strength

—
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
15 J11.1 ft·lbf

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.55 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

843°C1,549 °F
854°C1,569 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,010°C1,850 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

72 W/m·K41.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
74.8 W/m·K43.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
180 J/g77.4 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

200°C392 °F
260°C500 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 18 µm/m·K10 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

16 % IACS
12 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.25 µΩ·in
1.44×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.67 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

88 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
35%

Formability (cold)

—
10 / 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
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

85%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
33 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.1 MN·m/kg
11.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

89 kJ/m³
95 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

22.3 mm²/s
22.5 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 12

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 scaleC84800ZCuSn10Zn2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC84800ZCuSn10Zn2
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 ZCuSn10Zn2 — frequently asked

Is ZCuSn10Zn2 stronger than C84800?

Yes. ZCuSn10Zn2 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for C84800 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C84800 or ZCuSn10Zn2?

ZCuSn10Zn2 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 ZCuSn10Zn2?

C84800. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (55/100) for ZCuSn10Zn2; for welding the order is ZCuSn10Zn2 first (poor, 30/100) then C84800 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C84800 and ZCuSn10Zn2 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.