FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C86300 vs C87900

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C86300 and C87900 are both copper alloy grades. C86300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for C87900, about 96% more; tensile strength follows at 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 448 MPa (65 ksi). C86300 is harder — 225 HB against 125 HB for C87900 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C86300 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.3 g/cm³ for C87900) and C86300 conducts heat better (36 W/m·K vs 28 W/m·K). On the shop floor, C87900 machines more easily (very good vs poor) and C87900 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C86300 (specialty, $$$$$).

C86300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

C87900Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C86300 vs C87900: properties

C86300C87900

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

39 GPa5.7 Msi
38 GPa5.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

820 MPa119 ksi
448 MPa65 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Reduction in Area

18%
—

Compressive Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Shear Strength

540 MPa78.3 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

225 HB
125 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

96 HRB
72 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 15% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 20 J14.8 ft·lbf

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

862°C1,584 °F
821°C1,510 °F

Liquidus Temperature

924°C1,695 °F
916°C1,681 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
28 W/m·K16.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

19.3 µm/m·K10.7 µin/in·°F
20.2 µm/m·K11.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 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

8 % IACS
6.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.16×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.5 µΩ·in
2.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.1 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
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
78 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
80%

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
—

Castability

80 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

25 / 100
78 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

107 kN·m/kg
54 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.5 MN·m/kg
12 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,072 kJ/m³
288 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.5 mm²/s
8.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

15
6

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 scaleC86300C87900

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC86300C87900
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$ Premium
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.

C86300 vs C87900 — frequently asked

Is C86300 stronger than C87900?

Yes. C86300 has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for C87900 — about 96% more. Tensile strength is 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 448 MPa (65 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C86300 or C87900?

C87900 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium 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, C86300 or C87900?

C87900. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against poor (25/100) for C86300.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C86300 and C87900 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.