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Copper Alloy C90700 vs GRCop-42

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C90700 and GRCop-42 are both copper alloy grades. GRCop-42 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for C90700, about 81% more; tensile strength follows at 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 305 MPa (44.2 ksi). GRCop-42 is the more ductile: elongation 33% versus 12% for C90700, and GRCop-42 is harder (132 HV vs 85 HV). GRCop-42 is stiffer (120 GPa vs 110 GPa) and GRCop-42 runs hotter in service (700°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, GRCop-42 machines more easily (good vs fair) and GRCop-42 welds better (good vs poor).

GRCop-42Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

C90700 vs GRCop-42: properties

C90700GRCop-42

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

41 GPa5.9 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
130 GPa18.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

305 MPa44.2 ksi
455 MPa66 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

152 MPa22 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
33%

Reduction in Area

12%
45%

Compressive Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
—

Shear Strength

205 MPa29.7 ksi
285 MPa41.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

10 J7.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

80 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

41 HRB
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

85 HV
132 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.77 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.86 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

830°C1,526 °F
1,080°C1,976 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,000°C1,832 °F
1,090°C1,994 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
320 W/m·K185 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

18.4 µm/m·K10.2 µin/in·°F
17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb
205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
700°C1,292 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.9 % IACS
80 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.58×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.22 µΩ·in
2.16×10⁻⁸ Ω·m0.85 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.31 V
-0.22 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
52 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
30%

Weldability

25 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

80 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

35 kN·m/kg
51 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

12.5 MN·m/kg
13.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

105 kJ/m³
315 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

15.1 mm²/s
92.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
71

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 scaleGRCop-42C90700

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC90700GRCop-42
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.

C90700 vs GRCop-42 — frequently asked

Is GRCop-42 stronger than C90700?

Yes. GRCop-42 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for C90700 — about 81% more. Tensile strength is 455 MPa (66 ksi) vs 305 MPa (44.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C90700 or GRCop-42?

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, C90700 or GRCop-42?

GRCop-42. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for C90700; for welding the order is GRCop-42 first (good, 60/100) then C90700 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C90700 and GRCop-42 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.