C17510 Class 3 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium – RWMA Class 3 Alloy

C17510 is an RWMA Class 3 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium alloy valued for its high strength, heat-treatable properties, and consistent electrical and thermal conductivity. Designed for demanding industrial applications, it’s commonly used in projection welding dies, heavy-duty electrodes, and stainless steel welding.

Its balance of durability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance allows it to maintain reliability under heavy loads and elevated temperatures.

What is C17510 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium?

C17510 beryllium copper is a specialized beryllium copper alloy that combines nickel, beryllium, and copper to achieve a balance of moderate strength, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance. It maintains excellent performance in sulphide and chloride solutions, ammonium hydroxide, and most organic solutions, while being resistant to chloride solutions that challenge class 2 and other copper alloys.

Its heat-treatable condition allows manufacturers to optimize mechanical properties such as stress relaxation, hardness, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Compared with other copper alloys, C17510 provides superior durability and fair capacity for high-load components.

C17510 Copper Properties & Composition

Minimum Physical Properties

• Diameter – Round Stock (Cold Worked)

  Size Range in MM	Size Range in MM	Hardness Rockwell	Conductivity % I.A.C.S.	Yield Strength KSI (typical)	Ultimate Tensile Strength (typical)	Elongation % *(typical)
  Up to 1″	Up to 22	90 HRB	45%	90	95	9%
  Over 1″ to 2″	Over 25 to 51	90 HRB	45%	90	92	9%
  Over 2″ to 3″	Over 51 to 76	90 HRB	45%	90	88	9%

• Thickness – Square, Rectangle, and Hexagonal Bar Stock (Cold Worked)

  Size Range in MM	Size Range in MM	Hardness Rockwell	Conductivity % I.A.C.S.	Yield Strength KSI (typical)	Ultimate Tensile Strength (typical)	Elongation % *(typical)
  Up to 1″	Up to 25	90 HRB	45%	90	95	9%
  Over 1″	Over 25	90 HRB	45%	90	90	9%

• Thickness – Forgings

  Size Range in MM	Size Range in MM	Hardness Rockwell	Conductivity % I.A.C.S.	Yield Strength KSI (typical)	Ultimate Tensile Strength (typical)	Elongation % *(typical)
  Up to 1″	Up to 25	90 HRB	45%	50	94	9%
  Over 1″ to 2″	Over 25 to 51	90 HRB	45%	50	90	9%
  Over 2″	Over 51	90 HRB	45%	50	88	9%

• Chemical Composition

  Cu	Fe	Ni	Co	Si	Be	Al
  Rem.	.10 max	1.4 –  2.2	.30 max.	.20 max.	.2 –  .6	.20 max

Fabrication & Welding Characteristics

C17510 Class 3 Beryllium copper is heat treatable and can be fabricated by common working and joining methods.

• Cold Working: Excellent
• Hot Working: Good (648–885°C range)
• Forging: Readily forged under proper conditions
• Machinability: Moderate (~20–25%)
• Welding Applications We Recommended: Brazing, soldering, gas shielded arc welding, butt welding, seam welding, spot welding, coated metal arc welding
• Welding Applications We Recommend Against: Oxyacetylene welding

Applications of C17510 Class 3 Copper Alloy

C17510 has high strength, heat resistance, and conductivity. Common applications include:

• Projection welding dies
• Flash and butt welding dies
• Heavy-duty offset electrode holders
• Current-carrying shafts and bushings
• Spot and seam welding stainless steels
• Resistance welding electrodes
• Plastic injection mold tooling
• Aerospace and oil & gas components
• Electronics and telecommunications connectors
• Robotics and automation systems

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Benefits of Using C17510 Alloy

• High Mechanical Strength

  With a tensile strength of approximately 140 ksi, C17510 maintains structural integrity under heavy loads. This strength is critical for applications where dimensional stability affects performance and weld quality, including projection welding dies, flash and butt welding electrodes, and offset electrode holders.

• Heat Treatable for Optimized Hardness

  The alloy can be heat-treated to achieve specific hardness and mechanical characteristics, allowing precise adaptation to application requirements and improving tool and electrode longevity.

• Consistent Electrical and Thermal Conductivity

  C17510 maintains moderate electrical conductivity (45–60% IACS) and high thermal conductivity, ensuring reliable performance in electrical connectors, resistance welding, and other high-current applications.

• Extended Service Life

  The combination of mechanical strength, conductivity, and corrosion resistance reduces wear and the frequency of component replacement, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs in high-stress applications.

• Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance

  The addition of nickel and beryllium improves this copper alloy’s resistance to corrosion and oxidation. This feature makes C17510 beryllium copper suitable for use in stainless steel welding, oil and gas components, aerospace applications, and robotic welding systems, where exposure to moisture, chemicals, or high temperatures could otherwise degrade material performance.

Supply Options from NSRW

NSRW offers C17510 in a variety of forms:

• Bars, rods, plates, and custom-machined shapes
• Heat-treated and mill-hardened options
• Fully certified to meet industry standards; documentation available upon request
• Nationwide distribution and quick lead times

We can also provide technical support to help you select the right alloy form for your project.

Request a Quote for C17510 Copper

Looking for C17510 Class 3 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium alloy for your welding dies, electrodes, or custom components? NSRW can provide stocked or custom-machined pieces, with full certification and technical support to ensure it meets your project’s requirements. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and get a detailed quote.

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