Copper Alloy C85500 vs CC490K
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C85500 and CC490K are both copper alloy grades. C85500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K, about 72% more; tensile strength follows at 414 MPa (60 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). C85500 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 20% for CC490K, and C85500 is harder (75 HB vs 65 HB). C85500 is lighter (8.4 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and C85500 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, CC490K machines more easily (80 vs 70 out of 100) and C85500 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CC490K (high, $$$$).
C85500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
CC490KChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
C85500 vs CC490K: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Reduction in Area
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 85%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C85500 | CC490K |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C85500 vs CC490K — frequently asked
Is C85500 stronger than CC490K?
Yes. C85500 has a typical yield strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K — about 72% more. Tensile strength is 414 MPa (60 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C85500 or CC490K?
C85500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while CC490K is high ($$$$). 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, C85500 or CC490K?
CC490K, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 80/100 against 70/100 for C85500; for welding the order is C85500 first (poor, 30/100) then CC490K (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C85500 and CC490K 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.