Copper Alloy C87500 vs CC490K
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C87500 and CC490K are both copper alloy grades. C87500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K, about 125% more; tensile strength follows at 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). In exchange, CC490K is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 18% for C87500, and C87500 is harder (100 HB vs 65 HB). C87500 is lighter (8.28 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and C87500 is stiffer (105 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, CC490K machines more easily (very good vs fair) and C87500 welds better (good vs poor).
C87500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
CC490KChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C87500 vs CC490K: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Reduction in Area 20% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 25 J18.4 ft·lbf
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
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
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 85 / 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 | C87500 | CC490K |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C87500 vs CC490K — frequently asked
Is C87500 stronger than CC490K?
Yes. C87500 has a typical yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K — about 125% more. Tensile strength is 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C87500 or CC490K?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, C87500 or CC490K?
CC490K. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (45/100) for C87500; for welding the order is C87500 first (good, 65/100) then CC490K (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C87500 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.