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Copper Alloy C85200 vs C86300

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C85200 and C86300 are both copper alloy grades. C86300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for C85200, about 5.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi). In exchange, C85200 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 15% for C86300, and C86300 is harder (225 HB vs 45 HB). C86300 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.47 g/cm³ for C85200) and C86300 is stiffer (103 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, C85200 machines more easily (very good vs poor), C86300 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100), and C85200 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C86300 (specialty, $$$$$).

C85200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

C86300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

C85200 vs C86300: properties

C85200C86300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

34 GPa4.9 Msi
39 GPa5.7 Msi

Bulk Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
107 GPa15.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

262 MPa38 ksi
820 MPa119 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
15%

Reduction in Area

30%
18%

Compressive Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

34 J25.1 ft·lbf
20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

45 HB
225 HB

Hardness, Vickers

48 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
96 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

925°C1,697 °F
862°C1,584 °F

Liquidus Temperature

940°C1,724 °F
924°C1,695 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

84 W/m·K48.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20.3 µm/m·K11.3 µin/in·°F
19.3 µm/m·K10.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

160 J/g68.8 BTU/lb
175 J/g75.2 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

22 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
2.16×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

80 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
25%

Weldability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
25 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

90%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
107 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.6 MN·m/kg
13.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

45 kJ/m³
1,072 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.3 mm²/s
12.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
15

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 scaleC86300C85200

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC85200C86300
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—As Cast
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Tin Plating—Yes

They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

C85200 vs C86300 — frequently asked

Is C86300 stronger than C85200?

Yes. C86300 has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for C85200 — about 5.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 262 MPa (38 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C85200 or C86300?

C85200 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C86300 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C85200 or C86300?

C85200. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for C86300; for welding the order is C86300 first (poor, 30/100) then C85200 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C85200 and C86300 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.