Copper Alloy C95500 vs ZCuPb20Sn5
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy C95500 and ZCuPb20Sn5 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for ZCuPb20Sn5, about 4.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi). In exchange, ZCuPb20Sn5 is the more ductile: elongation 9% versus 8% for C95500, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 55 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 9.35 g/cm³ for ZCuPb20Sn5) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 72 GPa). On the shop floor, ZCuPb20Sn5 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), C95500 welds better (good vs not recommended), and ZCuPb20Sn5 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).
C95500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
ZCuPb20Sn5Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
C95500 vs ZCuPb20Sn5: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all copper alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 30 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | C95500 | ZCuPb20Sn5 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | As Cast | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Tin Plating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
C95500 vs ZCuPb20Sn5 — frequently asked
Is C95500 stronger than ZCuPb20Sn5?
Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for ZCuPb20Sn5 — about 4.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, C95500 or ZCuPb20Sn5?
ZCuPb20Sn5 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while C95500 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 ZCuPb20Sn5?
ZCuPb20Sn5. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against fair (40/100) for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then ZCuPb20Sn5 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and ZCuPb20Sn5 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.