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Beryllium Copper (BeCu) High Strength Copper Alloys
Product Overview
Beryllium Copper (BeCu) High Strength Copper Alloys are premium performance materials known for their exceptional combination of very high strength, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, superior fatigue resistance, and outstanding corrosion resistance. These alloys achieve mechanical strengths comparable to alloy steels while retaining the inherent conductivity and non-magnetic characteristics of copper, making them indispensable in critical electrical, mechanical, and precision-engineered applications.
BeCu alloys supplied by R V Metal Corporation are produced under tightly controlled metallurgical conditions and are available in solution-annealed, age-hardened, and precipitation-hardened tempers to meet demanding service requirements. Their ability to maintain dimensional stability, resist wear, and perform reliably under repeated stress cycles makes them ideal for springs, electrical connectors, switchgear components, tooling inserts, molds, aerospace hardware, and high-load industrial parts.
In addition to mechanical excellence, Beryllium Copper alloys offer excellent machinability in hardened condition, resistance to stress relaxation at elevated temperatures, and superior performance in explosive, corrosive, and high-vibration environments. R V Metal Corporation supplies BeCu products in multiple forms including rods, bars, sheets, plates, strips, and precision components, with full traceability, mill test certification, and compliance with international standards for critical industrial use.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Beryllium Copper (BeCu) – Precipitation Hardenable Copper Alloy |
| Typical Alloy Family | High Strength BeCu (Cu–Be–Co / Cu–Be–Ni) |
| Beryllium Content | 1.80% – 2.00% |
| Available Tempers | Solution Annealed (AT), Mill Hardened (HT), Age Hardened (TH) |
| Tensile Strength | 600 – 1,300 MPa (depending on temper) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | 450 – 1,100 MPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell C 20 – 44 (Rockwell B up to 110 in soft condition) |
| Elongation | 2% – 25% (temper dependent) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 20% – 60% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 105 – 210 W/m·K |
| Density | 8.25 – 8.36 g/cm³ |
| Elastic Modulus | 128 – 131 GPa |
| Magnetic Properties | Non-magnetic |
| Spark Resistance | Excellent (Non-sparking alloy) |
| Fatigue Strength | Very High – Suitable for cyclic & high-load applications |
| Stress Relaxation Resistance | Excellent at elevated temperatures |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good resistance to industrial atmospheres, oils, and moisture |
| Machinability | Good in age-hardened condition |
| Formability | Excellent in solution-annealed condition |
| Available Product Forms | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Plates, Strips, Forged & Machined Components |
| Heat Treatment Capability | Solution Treatment & Age Hardening Supported |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM, EN, UNS, DIN (as applicable) |
| Certification | Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1) |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (% by Weight) | Function / Technical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | Balance (≈ 97.0 – 98.2) | Base metal providing electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance |
| Beryllium (Be) | 1.80 – 2.00 | Primary strengthening element; enables precipitation hardening |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.20 – 0.60 | Enhances age-hardening response and fatigue resistance |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.20 – 0.60 | Improves strength, thermal stability, and stress relaxation resistance |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.15 | Grain refinement; contributes to strength control |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.15 | Residual element; controlled to avoid embrittlement |
| Aluminium (Al) | ≤ 0.15 | Residual impurity; tightly controlled |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.05 | Restricted impurity; limited for environmental compliance |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.20 | Residual element; not intentional alloying addition |
| Other Elements | ≤ 0.50 (total) | Includes trace elements as permitted by applicable standards |
UNS Codes & Grades
| UNS Code | Common Grade Name | Type / Category | Typical Be Content (%) | Key Strength / Performance Focus | Typical Product Forms | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C17200 | Alloy 25 (High Strength BeCu) | Precipitation-hardenable (High Strength) | ~1.8 – 2.0 | Highest strength BeCu + excellent fatigue & spring properties | Rods, bars, strips, sheets, wires, forgings | Springs, connectors, switch parts, molds, non-sparking tools |
| C17300 | Alloy 25 (Free-Machining BeCu) | Precipitation-hardenable (High Strength / Machining) | ~1.8 – 2.0 | High strength with improved machinability (lead-bearing) | Rods, bars, precision-machining stock | Machined connectors, bushings, complex precision components |
| C17000 | BeCu (High Strength Variant) | Precipitation-hardenable | ~1.6 – 1.9 | High strength with good formability (variant by standard) | Strip, sheet, wire | Electrical contacts, springs, diaphragms |
| C17510 | BeCu (High Conductivity) | Precipitation-hardenable (High Conductivity) | ~0.2 – 0.7 | Better electrical/thermal conductivity with moderate strength | Rods, bars, sheets, forgings | Welding electrodes, current-carrying parts, resistance welding arms |
| C17500 | BeCu (High Conductivity) | Precipitation-hardenable (High Conductivity) | ~0.4 – 0.7 | Conductivity-focused grade for electrical tooling components | Rods, bars, plates | Spot-welding parts, electrode holders, tooling where heat extraction matters |
| C17410 | BeCu Strip (Spring / Contact Grade) | Precipitation-hardenable | ~0.2 – 0.7 | Contact/spring performance with conductivity emphasis | Strip, sheet | Connector springs, electrical contacts, signal components |
Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties
| Property Category | Property | Typical Values (BeCu High Strength – C17200 / C17300) | Remarks / Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | 1100 – 1400 MPa | Achieved after solution treatment + age hardening |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | 900 – 1200 MPa | Excellent load-bearing capability for springs & connectors | |
| Elongation | 2 – 6% | Lower in peak-aged condition; higher in solution-treated state | |
| Hardness | HRC 36 – 44 / HV 350 – 420 | Comparable to alloy steels with superior corrosion resistance | |
| Fatigue Strength | Very High | Outstanding for cyclic loading & spring applications | |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Suitable for sliding, contact & tooling components | |
| Physical Properties | Density | 8.25 – 8.36 g/cm³ | Slightly lower than pure copper |
| Electrical Conductivity | 20 – 25 % IACS | Lower than ETP copper but sufficient for power & signal contacts | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 105 – 130 W/m·K | Excellent heat dissipation compared to steels | |
| Melting Range | 865 – 980 °C | Lower than pure copper due to alloying elements | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 17 × 10⁻⁶ /K | Stable dimensional behavior under thermal cycling | |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Resistant to seawater, industrial atmospheres & chemicals | |
| Fabrication Properties | Formability | Good (in solution-treated condition) | Forming recommended before age hardening |
| Machinability | 60 – 80% (Free-machining grades higher) | C17300 preferred for precision machining | |
| Heat Treatment | Solution Treat + Age Harden | Key advantage of BeCu alloys | |
| Weldability | Limited / Special Procedures | Preheat & post-weld heat treatment recommended | |
| Brazing / Soldering | Good | Commonly used for electrical assemblies | |
| Cold Working | Excellent (pre-aging) | Improves strength response after aging | |
| Non-Sparking Behavior | Yes | Safe for explosive & hazardous environments |
Common Names & International Identifiers
| Common / Trade Name | UNS Designation | ASTM / ASME | EN / DIN | JIS | ISO / Other Identifiers | Typical Product Forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beryllium Copper | C17200 | ASTM B194 / B196 / B197 | EN CW101C | C1720 | ISO CuBe2 | Rods, Bars, Sheets, Plates, Springs |
| High Strength BeCu | C17300 | ASTM B194 | EN CW102C | C1730 | ISO CuBe1.7 | Free-machining rods, precision parts |
| Tooling Beryllium Copper | C17200 | ASTM B768 | DIN 17666 | — | CuBe2 HT | Molds, dies, tooling inserts |
| Spring Grade BeCu | C17200 | ASTM B194 | EN CW101C | C1720 | CuBe2 | Springs, contacts, connectors |
| Electrical BeCu Alloy | C17200 / C17300 | ASTM B197 | EN CW101C / CW102C | C1720 / C1730 | CuBe2 / CuBe1.7 | Electrical terminals, switches |
| Non-Sparking Copper Alloy | C17200 | ASTM B194 | DIN CuBe2 | — | ISO CuBe2 | Safety tools, oil & gas equipment |
| High Conductivity BeCu | C17510 / C17500 | ASTM B196 | EN CW103C | C1751 | CuBe0.7 | Electrodes, resistance welding parts |
Standards & International Equivalents
| Country / Region | Standard | Grade / Designation | Equivalent UNS | Typical Description / Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | ASTM B194 | C17200, C17300 | C17200 / C17300 | High-strength BeCu for springs, connectors, tooling |
| USA | ASTM B196 | C17200, C17510 | C17200 / C17510 | BeCu rods and bars for mechanical applications |
| USA | ASTM B197 | C17200, C17300 | C17200 / C17300 | BeCu forgings and precision components |
| Europe | EN 12163 | CW101C | C17200 | High-strength beryllium copper bars and rods |
| Europe | EN 12164 | CW102C | C17300 | Free-machining BeCu bars |
| Europe | EN 1652 | CW101C | C17200 | BeCu sheets, strips, and plates |
| Germany | DIN 17666 | CuBe2 | C17200 | High-strength and spring-grade beryllium copper |
| Germany | DIN 17666 | CuBe1.7 | C17300 | Machinable BeCu alloy |
| Japan | JIS H3270 | C1720 | C17200 | High-strength BeCu rods and bars |
| Japan | JIS H3130 | C1720 | C17200 | BeCu sheets and strips |
| ISO | ISO 428 | CuBe2 | C17200 | International BeCu designation for high strength |
| ISO | ISO 428 | CuBe1.7 | C17300 | Machinable beryllium copper alloy |
| India | IS 7539 | Cu-Be Alloy | C17200 / C17300 | Beryllium copper for electrical and mechanical use |
Applications
| Industry / Sector | Specific Applications | Key BeCu Property Utilized | Typical Product Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical & Electronics | Electrical connectors, relay contacts, switch components, springs | High electrical conductivity combined with high strength and fatigue resistance | Strips, sheets, wires, precision machined parts |
| Automotive | Sensor components, fuel system parts, ABS connectors, valve springs | Excellent wear resistance, high fatigue life, thermal stability | Rods, strips, precision forgings |
| Aerospace & Defense | Bushings, bearings, landing gear components, electrical contacts | High strength-to-weight ratio, non-magnetic, corrosion resistance | Rods, bars, plates, machined components |
| Oil & Gas | Non-sparking tools, valve stems, seals, downhole components | Non-sparking nature, high hardness, corrosion resistance | Rods, bars, forged parts |
| Moulds & Tooling | Injection mould inserts, cores, blow moulds, dies | High thermal conductivity with excellent strength and polishability | Blocks, plates, precision machined inserts |
| Plastic Processing | Mould cooling components, hot runner systems | Rapid heat dissipation, dimensional stability | Plates, rods, custom machined parts |
| Marine & Offshore | Pump components, fasteners, electrical contacts | Good corrosion resistance in marine environments | Rods, bars, fasteners |
| Telecommunications | RF connectors, coaxial contacts, antenna components | Stable electrical performance, spring properties | Strips, wires, precision turned parts |
| Medical Equipment | Precision springs, connectors, diagnostic device components | High reliability, non-magnetic behavior | Strips, wires, micro-components |
| General Engineering | High-load springs, wear plates, precision mechanical parts | High hardness, excellent fatigue and wear resistance | Rods, bars, plates |
Common Beryllium Copper (BeCu) Forms & Dimensions Chart
| Common Beryllium Copper (BeCu) Forms & Supply Range | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Form | Common Standards | Typical Grades (UNS) | Temper / Condition (Typical) | Supply Size Range (Typical) | Supply Length / Packing |
| Sheet / Plate | ASTM B194 / B194M | C17200, C17500 | Solution treated, age hardenable; mill-hardened options | Thickness: 0.20–50 mm Width: 200–1250 mm |
Sheets / plates; cut-to-size; pallets |
| Strip / Coil | ASTM B194 / B194M | C17200, C17410 | Soft to spring tempers (O / 1/2H / H / Spring) | Thickness: 0.05–3.0 mm Width: 5–610 mm |
Coils / spools; slit widths |
| Round Bar / Rod | ASTM B196 / B196M | C17200, C17500 | Solution treated / age hardened | Dia: 3–250 mm | 3–6 m random/fixed lengths |
| Flat Bar | ASTM B194 (cut from plate) / customer spec | C17200, C17500 | As rolled / age hardened | Thk: 3–50 mm Width: 10–300 mm |
3–6 m; cut lengths |
| Hex / Square Bar | ASTM B196 / customer spec | C17200, C17500 | Age hardened options | AF / across flats: 6–80 mm | 3–6 m; cut lengths |
| Wire | ASTM B197 / B197M | C17200, C17510, C17410 | Soft to spring temper | Dia: 0.10–12 mm | Coils / spools |
| Tube (Special Order) | Customer spec | C17200 | As drawn / age hardened | OD: 6–100 mm WT: 0.5–6.0 mm |
Straight / coil (on request) |
| Forgings / Machined Blanks | Customer drawings | C17200, C17500 | Machining allowance + heat treatment | As per drawing | Packed job-wise |
| BeCu Round Bar – Theoretical Weight (Typical) (ρ = 8.36 g/cm³) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Theoretical Weight (kg/6m) |
| 6 | 28.27 | 0.236 | 1.416 |
| 8 | 50.27 | 0.420 | 2.520 |
| 10 | 78.54 | 0.657 | 3.942 |
| 12 | 113.10 | 0.946 | 5.676 |
| 16 | 201.06 | 1.680 | 10.080 |
| 20 | 314.16 | 2.626 | 15.756 |
| 25 | 490.87 | 4.104 | 24.624 |
| 30 | 706.86 | 5.909 | 35.454 |
| 40 | 1256.64 | 10.503 | 63.018 |
| 50 | 1963.50 | 16.411 | 98.466 |
| BeCu Flat / Plate – Theoretical Weight (Typical) (ρ = 8.36 g/cm³) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Area (mm²) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) | Theoretical Weight (kg/3m) |
| 3 | 25 | 75 | 0.627 | 1.881 |
| 3 | 50 | 150 | 1.254 | 3.762 |
| 5 | 50 | 250 | 2.090 | 6.270 |
| 6 | 50 | 300 | 2.508 | 7.524 |
| 6 | 100 | 600 | 5.016 | 15.048 |
| 10 | 100 | 1000 | 8.360 | 25.080 |
| 12 | 150 | 1800 | 15.048 | 45.144 |
| 20 | 200 | 4000 | 33.440 | 100.320 |
| BeCu Strip/Coil – Theoretical Weight (Typical) (ρ = 8.36 g/cm³) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight per Meter (kg/m) | Weight per 100 m (kg) | Typical Coil ID / OD | Typical Coil Weight |
| 0.20 | 25 | 0.042 | 4.18 | ID 300/400 mm (standard) | As per slitting & handling |
| 0.30 | 50 | 0.125 | 12.54 | ID 300/400 mm (standard) | As per slitting & handling |
| 0.50 | 100 | 0.418 | 41.80 | ID 400/500 mm (common) | As per slitting & handling |
| 1.00 | 100 | 0.836 | 83.60 | ID 500 mm+ | As per mill limits |
| Theoretical Weight Calculation (Reference) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section Type | Formula | Notes |
| Round Bar | kg/m = (π/4 × D² × ρ) × 10-6 | D in mm, ρ in kg/m³ (use 8360 kg/m³ typical) |
| Flat / Plate / Strip | kg/m = (T × W × ρ) × 10-6 | T & W in mm, ρ in kg/m³ |
| Tube (Hollow) | kg/m = (π/4 × (OD² − ID²) × ρ) × 10-6 | OD/ID in mm, confirm tolerance before billing |
