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Copper Alloy C95500 vs CC481K

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C95500 and CC481K are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for CC481K, about 30% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi). C95500 is harder — 192 HB against 105 HB for CC481K — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for CC481K) and C95500 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, C95500 welds better (good vs poor) and CC481K sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

C95500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

CC481KChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

C95500 vs CC481K: properties

C95500CC481K

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
41 GPa5.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

102 GPa14.8 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Shear Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

192 HB
105 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
60 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Elongation at Break 8%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.53 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
8.8 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,054°C1,929 °F
830°C1,526 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,064°C1,947 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
377 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

210 J/g90.3 BTU/lb
170 J/g73.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
250°C482 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
11 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in
1.57×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.18 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.26 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
30%

Weldability

60 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
8 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
43 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.6 MN·m/kg
12.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

409 kJ/m³
240 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
14.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
9

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 scaleC95500CC481K

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC95500CC481K
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
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.

C95500 vs CC481K — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than CC481K?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for CC481K — about 30% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 380 MPa (55.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C95500 or CC481K?

CC481K is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C95500 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, C95500 or CC481K?

CC481K, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then CC481K (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and CC481K 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.