FabDigitFabDigit

Copper Alloy C95500 vs ZCuPb30

Copper Alloy · grade comparison

Copper Alloy C95500 and ZCuPb30 are both copper alloy grades. C95500 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for ZCuPb30, about 9.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 65 MPa (9.43 ksi). C95500 is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 5% for ZCuPb30, and C95500 is harder (192 HB vs 27 HB). C95500 is lighter (7.53 g/cm³ vs 9.5 g/cm³ for ZCuPb30) and C95500 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 72 GPa). On the shop floor, ZCuPb30 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), C95500 welds better (good vs not recommended), and ZCuPb30 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than C95500 (specialty, $$$$$).

C95500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

ZCuPb30Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

C95500 vs ZCuPb30: properties

C95500ZCuPb30

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

102 GPa14.8 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.34

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
32 MPa4.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
5%

Shear Strength

425 MPa61.6 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
6 J4.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

192 HB
27 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
—

Reduction in Area

—
5%

Compressive Strength

—
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

—
29 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.53 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
9.5 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,054°C1,929 °F
327°C621 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,064°C1,947 °F
990°C1,814 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
60 W/m·K34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
310 J/kg·K0.07 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
150 J/g64.5 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
30 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in
5.7×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.24 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.28 V
-0.35 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
42 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
80%

Weldability

60 / 100
8 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

93 kN·m/kg
7 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

14.6 MN·m/kg
7.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

409 kJ/m³
7 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.3 mm²/s
20.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
3

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 scaleC95500ZCuPb30

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC95500ZCuPb30
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 ZCuPb30 — frequently asked

Is C95500 stronger than ZCuPb30?

Yes. C95500 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for ZCuPb30 — about 9.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 65 MPa (9.43 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C95500 or ZCuPb30?

ZCuPb30 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 ZCuPb30?

ZCuPb30. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against fair (40/100) for C95500; for welding the order is C95500 first (good, 60/100) then ZCuPb30 (not recommended, 8/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C95500 and ZCuPb30 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.