Copper-Beryllium (C17200)

Class 4

Class 4 C17200 beryllium copper alloys are ductile and produced in mill hardened and heat treatable tempers. C17200 has extremely high rigidity and ultimate tensile strength. RWMA Class 4 Beryllium Copper is unique in that it is available in heat treatable tempers.

Alloys are used in a wide range of applications requiring high strength and stiffness with good conductivity. These alloys are used for all applications, which require high strength, stiffness and good conductivity. This copper type is commonly used with electrical and electronic connectors, current-carrying springs, precision screw machined parts, welding electrodes, bearings, plastic molds and corrosion resistant components. The chemical compound of C17200 Class 4 Copper alloy is 97.9% copper, 1.9% beryllium, and 0.20% cobalt. The physical properties of C17200 are that its density is 8.25 grams per cubic centimeter, and its melting point is 866 degrees Celsius. The tensile strength of C17200 copper is over 1380 MPa (200 ksi).

Material Properties of Beryllium Copper

• High electrical and thermal conductivity and high ductility
• The ability to be stamped into complex shapes with tight tolerances
• Good corrosion and oxidation resistance
• Excellent metalworking, forming, and machining qualities

Fabrication Properties

The fabrication properties of C17200 include:

• Machining
  • C17200 copper alloy has a machinability rate of 20%.
• Welding
  • Butt welding, seam welding, spot welding, coated metal arc welding, gas shielded arc welding, brazing and soldering are recommended for C17200 copper alloys. Oxyacetylene welding is not recommended for C17200.
• Forging
  • Forging for C17200 occurs at a temperature of 649 to 816 degrees Celsius.
• Hot working
  • C17200 copper alloys have good hot working capabilities.
• Cold working
  • C17200 copper alloys have excellent cold working properties
• Annealing
  • Annealing is the process of heating metal or glass and allowing it to cool slowly. This process removes internal stresses and strengthens it. C17200 copper alloys are annealed at temperatures from 774 to 802 degrees Celsius.

Other fabrication properties include blanking, drawing, drilling, forming and bending, tapping, and turning.

Beryllium copper alloys are highly preferred due to their strength and hardness, among other copper properties. In comparison to other copper alloys, beryllium copper alloys have the highest strength and hardness. This means that Beryllium copper alloys have extensive applications. Beryllium copper alloys are available in large quantities by several copper suppliers in the US.