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Copper Alloy C95500 vs ZCuPb15Sn8

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C95500 and ZCuPb15Sn8 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for ZCuPb15Sn8, about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 190 MPa (27.6 ksi). C95500 is harder — 192 HB against 62 HB for ZCuPb15Sn8 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 9.2 g/cm³ for ZCuPb15Sn8) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 76 GPa). On the shop floor, ZCuPb15Sn8 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), C95500 welds better (good vs poor), and ZCuPb15Sn8 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

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

ZCuPb15Sn8Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C95500 vs ZCuPb15Sn8: properties

C95500ZCuPb15Sn8

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
29 GPa4.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

102 GPa14.8 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
190 MPa27.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Shear Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
145 MPa21 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
65 MPa9.4 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
62 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
—

Reduction in Area

—
9%

Compressive Strength

—
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
65 HV

Same in both: Elongation at Break 8%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.53 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
9.2 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,054°C1,929 °F
762°C1,404 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,064°C1,947 °F
950°C1,742 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
70 W/m·K40.4 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
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °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
-0.27 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
55 / 100

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
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
21 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.6 MN·m/kg
8.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

409 kJ/m³
66 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
20.2 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 scaleC95500ZCuPb15Sn8

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC95500ZCuPb15Sn8
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 ZCuPb15Sn8 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than ZCuPb15Sn8?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for ZCuPb15Sn8 — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 190 MPa (27.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C95500 or ZCuPb15Sn8?

ZCuPb15Sn8 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 ZCuPb15Sn8?

ZCuPb15Sn8. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against fair (40/100) for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then ZCuPb15Sn8 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and ZCuPb15Sn8 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.