Copper Alloy CC490K vs ZCuZn38
Copper Alloy · grade comparison
Copper Alloy CC490K and ZCuZn38 are both copper alloy grades. ZCuZn38 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) against 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) for CC490K, about 49% more. ZCuZn38 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 20% for CC490K. ZCuZn38 is lighter (8.43 g/cm³ vs 8.7 g/cm³ for CC490K) and ZCuZn38 is stiffer (95 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, CC490K machines more easily (very good vs fair), ZCuZn38 welds better (fair vs poor), and ZCuZn38 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CC490K (high, $$$$).
CC490KChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
ZCuZn38Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
CC490K vs ZCuZn38: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Hardness, Rockwell B 25 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 900°C1,652 °F
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · 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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 85 / 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 | ZCuZn38 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ZCuZn38 — frequently asked
Is ZCuZn38 stronger than CC490K?
Yes. ZCuZn38 has a typical tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) against 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) for CC490K — about 49% more.
Which is cheaper, CC490K or ZCuZn38?
ZCuZn38 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 ZCuZn38?
CC490K. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (50/100) for ZCuZn38; for welding the order is ZCuZn38 first (fair, 45/100) then CC490K (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CC490K and ZCuZn38 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.