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Copper Alloy C95500 vs ZCuPb10Sn10

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C95500 and ZCuPb10Sn10 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for ZCuPb10Sn10, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 200 MPa (29 ksi). In exchange, ZCuPb10Sn10 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 70 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 8.93 g/cm³ for ZCuPb10Sn10) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, ZCuPb10Sn10 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), C95500 welds better (good vs not recommended), and ZCuPb10Sn10 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

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

ZCuPb10Sn10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

C95500 vs ZCuPb10Sn10: properties

C95500ZCuPb10Sn10

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
28 GPa4.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

102 GPa14.8 Msi
95 GPa13.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
10%

Shear Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
10 J7.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

192 HB
70 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
30 HRB

Reduction in Area

—
12%

Compressive Strength

—
225 MPa32.6 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
73 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,054°C1,929 °F
762°C1,404 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,064°C1,947 °F
930°C1,706 °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
18.5 µm/m·K10.3 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
200°C392 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8.5 % IACS
10 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in
1.72×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.77 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
55 / 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
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
80%

Weldability

60 / 100
12 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

40%
60%

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
22 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.6 MN·m/kg
8.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

409 kJ/m³
53 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
14 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
7

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 scaleC95500ZCuPb10Sn10

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC95500ZCuPb10Sn10
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 ZCuPb10Sn10 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than ZCuPb10Sn10?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for ZCuPb10Sn10 — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 200 MPa (29 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C95500 or ZCuPb10Sn10?

ZCuPb10Sn10 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 ZCuPb10Sn10?

ZCuPb10Sn10. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against fair (40/100) for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then ZCuPb10Sn10 (not recommended, 12/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and ZCuPb10Sn10 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.