Copper Alloy C86300 vs ZCuZn31Al2
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C86300 and ZCuZn31Al2 are both copper alloy grades. C86300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for ZCuZn31Al2, about 3.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi). C86300 is harder — 225 HB against 65 HB for ZCuZn31Al2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C86300 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for ZCuZn31Al2) and ZCuZn31Al2 conducts heat better (100 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ZCuZn31Al2 machines more easily (fair vs poor), ZCuZn31Al2 welds better (fair vs poor), and ZCuZn31Al2 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C86300 (specialty, $$$$$).
C86300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ZCuZn31Al2Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
C86300 vs ZCuZn31Al2: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Reduction in Area 18%
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 175 J/g75.2 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg
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 | C86300 | ZCuZn31Al2 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | As Cast | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C86300 vs ZCuZn31Al2 — frequently asked
Is C86300 stronger than ZCuZn31Al2?
Yes. C86300 has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) for ZCuZn31Al2 — about 3.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C86300 or ZCuZn31Al2?
ZCuZn31Al2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C86300 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C86300 or ZCuZn31Al2?
ZCuZn31Al2. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (25/100) for C86300; for welding the order is ZCuZn31Al2 first (fair, 40/100) then C86300 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C86300 and ZCuZn31Al2 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.