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Copper Alloy C95500 vs PBC2

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C95500 and PBC2 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for PBC2, about 97% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, PBC2 is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 80 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 8.77 g/cm³ for PBC2) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, C95500 machines more easily (fair vs poor), C95500 welds better (good vs poor), and PBC2 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

C95500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

PBC2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C95500 vs PBC2: properties

C95500PBC2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
103 GPa14.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
38 GPa5.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

102 GPa14.8 Msi
107 GPa15.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
152 MPa22 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
15%

Shear Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
95 MPa13.8 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
80 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
42 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
15%

Compressive Strength

—
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
85 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,054°C1,929 °F
831°C1,528 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,064°C1,947 °F
999°C1,830 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
71 W/m·K41 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
175 J/g75.2 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).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
62 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.28 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
20%

Weldability

60 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 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
5 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
34 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.6 MN·m/kg
11.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

409 kJ/m³
112 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
21.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
11

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 scaleC95500PBC2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC95500PBC2
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 PBC2 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than PBC2?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 152 MPa (22 ksi) for PBC2 — about 97% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C95500 or PBC2?

PBC2 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 PBC2?

C95500. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (22/100) for PBC2; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then PBC2 (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and PBC2 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.