Copper Alloy CC490K vs ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy CC490K and ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 are both copper alloy grades. ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K, about 3.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi). ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is harder — 160 HB against 65 HB for CC490K — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is lighter (7.6 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is stiffer (100 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, CC490K machines more easily (very good vs fair) and ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CC490K (high, $$$$).
CC490KChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
CC490K vs ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 20% · Reduction in Area 20%
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).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg
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 | CC490K | ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 4 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
CC490K vs ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 — frequently asked
Is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 stronger than CC490K?
Yes. ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for CC490K — about 3.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 215 MPa (31.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, CC490K or ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3?
ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while CC490K is high ($$$$). 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, CC490K or ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3?
CC490K. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (35/100) for ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3; for welding the order is ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 first (poor, 30/100) then CC490K (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CC490K and ZCuZn26Al4Fe3Mn3 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.