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Copper Alloy C85700 vs CC490K

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C85700 and CC490K are both copper alloy grades. C85700 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K, about 40% more; tensile strength follows at 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). In exchange, CC490K is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 18% for C85700, and C85700 is harder (75 HB vs 65 HB). C85700 is lighter (8.41 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and C85700 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, C85700 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CC490K (high, $$$$).

C85700Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

CC490KChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C85700 vs CC490K: properties

C85700CC490K

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

100 GPa14.5 Msi
90 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

37 GPa5.4 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

18%
20%

Shear Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

14 J10.3 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

75 HB
65 HB

Reduction in Area

—
20%

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
25 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
68 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 105 GPa15.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.41 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.7 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

875°C1,607 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Liquidus Temperature

905°C1,661 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

84 W/m·K48.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
78 W/m·K45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

21.6 µm/m·K12 µin/in·°F
18.5 µm/m·K10.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

165 J/g70.9 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 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
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.3 V
-0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
85 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
80%

Formability (cold)

—
10 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 80 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

90%
85%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

45 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

11.9 MN·m/kg
10.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

98 kJ/m³
56 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.5 mm²/s
23.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

15
10

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 scaleCC490KC85700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC85700CC490K
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.

C85700 vs CC490K — frequently asked

Is C85700 stronger than CC490K?

Yes. C85700 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C85700 or CC490K?

C85700 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 welds better, C85700 or CC490K?

CC490K. Its weldability rates poor (25/100) against poor (20/100) for C85700.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C85700 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.