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Copper Alloy C85900 vs CC490K

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C85900 and CC490K are both copper alloy grades. C85900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). C85900 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for CC490K, and CC490K is harder (65 HB vs 60 HB). C85900 is lighter (8.4 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and C85900 is stiffer (97 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, C85900 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CC490K (high, $$$$).

C85900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C85900 vs CC490K: properties

C85900CC490K

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

97 GPa14.1 Msi
90 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

37 GPa5.4 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

101 GPa14.6 Msi
105 GPa15.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
215 MPa31.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

115 MPa16.7 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
20%

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

60 HB
65 HB

Hardness, Vickers

63 HV
68 HV

Reduction in Area

—
20%

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
25 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.4 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

930°C1,706 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

85 W/m·K49.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
78 W/m·K45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

21 µm/m·K11.7 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

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

26 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 80 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 80% · Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Castability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 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)

35 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

11.5 MN·m/kg
10.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

68 kJ/m³
56 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.6 mm²/s
23.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

12
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 scaleCC490KC85900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC85900CC490K
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.

C85900 vs CC490K — frequently asked

Is C85900 stronger than CC490K?

Yes. C85900 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C85900 or CC490K?

C85900 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, C85900 or CC490K?

C85900. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (25/100) for CC490K.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C85900 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.