Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Copper C110
Compare Aluminum vs. Copper C110 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical40% stronger | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 117GPasourcetypical1.72x stiffer |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal3.3x lighter | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg13.2x higher | 7.74kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg1.92x higher | 13.1MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 43.7GPa1.7x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 122GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,626m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C2.34x more heat through a fin |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C40% less |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 84.5µm growth40% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s | 114mm²/s1.65x faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m2.13x more resistant | 8,992W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum stronger than Copper C110?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (4x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Copper C110?
Aluminum is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Copper C110?
Copper C110 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in Copper C110 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Copper C110?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | Copper C110 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.92x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.52x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.76x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 13.2x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 8.32x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 6.6x heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum or Copper C110?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 167 W/m·K for Aluminum.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C110 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum.