Copper Alloy C86300 vs ZCuZn38
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C86300 and ZCuZn38 are both copper alloy grades. C86300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for ZCuZn38, about 4.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi). In exchange, ZCuZn38 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 15% for C86300, and C86300 is harder (225 HB vs 62 HB). C86300 is lighter (7.65 g/cm³ vs 8.43 g/cm³ for ZCuZn38) and C86300 is stiffer (103 GPa vs 95 GPa). On the shop floor, ZCuZn38 machines more easily (fair vs poor), ZCuZn38 welds better (fair vs poor), and ZCuZn38 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than C86300 (specialty, $$$$$).
C86300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
ZCuZn38Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C86300 vs ZCuZn38: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | ZCuZn38 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | As Cast | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ Premium |
| 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 ZCuZn38 — frequently asked
Is C86300 stronger than ZCuZn38?
Yes. C86300 has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for ZCuZn38 — about 4.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 320 MPa (46.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C86300 or ZCuZn38?
ZCuZn38 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 ZCuZn38?
ZCuZn38. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (25/100) for C86300; for welding the order is ZCuZn38 first (fair, 45/100) then C86300 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C86300 and ZCuZn38 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.