Material
Copper C17200 (Beryllium Copper, CW101C)
Copper C17200 (Beryllium Copper) is the strongest copper alloy commercially available, reaching tensile strength comparable to steel while retaining useful electrical conductivity, though machining requires strict beryllium dust controls.
Manufacturing processes
About
C17200 is a precipitation-hardened copper-beryllium alloy capable of reaching tensile strength over 1,380 MPa in its peak-aged condition while retaining 22% IACS conductivity, which makes it useful for applications needing both.
This strength, comparable to some steels, comes with trade-offs: conductivity is notably lower than other high-copper alloys in this family, and machining generates beryllium-containing dust, a recognized health hazard requiring strict exposure controls.
Copper C17200 is suitable for precision springs, electrical connectors, relay blades, switch contacts, and aerospace components needing high strength-to-weight with electrical performance.
Technical Details
- Accuracy
- ±0.2% (lower limit of ±0.13 mm)
- Density
- 8.25 g/cm³
- Min. wall thickness
- -
Technical Properties
- Tensile strength
- 480 - 1480 MPa
- Tensile modulus
- 125000 - 130000 MPa
- Tensile elongation
- 1.1 - 37%
- Embossing
- min. 0.3 mm
- Engraving
- min. 0.3 mm
- Warping risk
- N/A