Introduction
Beryllium copper, sometimes referred to as spring copper or beryllium bronze, is one of the greatest-strength copper-based alloys now on the market. Commercial grades of beryllium copper range in beryllium content from 0.4 to 2.0 percent. A family of high copper alloys with strength comparable to alloy steel is produced by the tiny beryllium-to-copper ratio. High strength and moderate conductivity are offered by the first of the two families, C17200 and C17300, while high conductivity and moderate strength are provided by the second family, C17500 and C17510. These alloys’ key traits include superior thermal conductivity, resistance to stress relaxation, and great reactivity to precipitation-hardening procedures.
The majority of buyers recognize that beryllium copper is valued based on its price, but what qualities justify its cost? Read this blog to know about the distinctive characteristics that make beryllium copper such a versatile and valuable metal product.
Well, before running through the properties, let’s learn more about them.
GRADES OF BERYLLIUM COPPER
Beryllium copper is available in a number of different grades, each with its own unique advantages. These grades are classified into two main categories: high-strength alloys and high-conductivity alloys.
Examples of high-strength alloys include:
- This alloy is the most common grade of beryllium copper. It contains 1.8 to 2% beryllium and demonstrates tensile strength ranging between 60–220 kilopounds per square inch (ksi) and fatigue strength between 30–50 ksi per 10^8 cycles.
- This alloy also contains 1.8 to 2% beryllium. It exhibits good machinability, high endurance, relaxation resistance, and a characteristic strength-conductivity ratio.
- This alloy contains 1.6 to 1.79% beryllium. Its electrical conductivity percentage typically falls between 15 to 33% (per International Annealed Copper Standard).
- Some of the high-conductivity alloys include:
- This alloy contains 0.2 to 0.6% beryllium. It demonstrates an electrical conductivity percentage of at least 60%.
- This alloy contains 0.4 to 0.7% beryllium. Its tensile strength generally falls between 50–80 ksi.
- This alloy contains some of the lowest levels of beryllium among the various grades available, falling within a range of 0.15 to 0.5%. It offers a low elongation percentage (7 to 17%).
- This alloy was created by Brush Wellman. It contains between 0.15 to 0.5% beryllium, is supplied hardened and demonstrates high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS OF BERYLLIUM COPPER?
Beryllium copper finds use in several different industries due to its unique properties. For instance, its non-sparking characteristics make it highly suitable for applications within the oil and gas industry, such as oil rig components or mining tools.
Other industrial applications that employ beryllium copper include:
- Computers and electronics
- Fabrication of non-sparking tools
- Fasteners
- Telecommunication products
- Valve seats and cryogenics
- Injection mold design
- Musical instruments (percussion, strings, etc.)
A RUN THROUGH THE UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF BERYLLIUM COPPER
Beryllium copper, which is often written as BeCu, is an alloy that can be used in a wide range of industries and applications. Here are five of its most prominent characteristics:
1. STRENGTH
Beryllium copper is utilized in cryogenic equipment because it maintains its strength at low temperatures. Here, you can discover the BeCu tensile strength ranges carried out by Kalpataru Piping Solutions.
There are two kinds of copper beryllium alloys: high-strength copper beryllium and high-conductivity copper beryllium. As the name suggests, high-strength copper beryllium is the strongest copper alloy, beryllium or otherwise. The material’s tensile strength exceeds 200,000 psi while retaining excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
2. ELECTRICAL AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
BeCu transports heat and electricity with efficiency. Consequently, it is frequently utilized for electronic connectors, computer components, and telecommunications goods. In addition, the alloy is non-ignitable.
When talking about the electrical and thermal conductivity of copper beryllium, it is important to point out that copper beryllium is a high-conductivity alloy with a tensile strength of about 120,000 psi.
Is Beryllium Copper Magnetic?
Beryllium-copper is an alloy with nonmagnetic properties, and substances with these properties are considered nonmagnetic. Due to their lack of magnetism, beryllium copper instruments and components can function normally in magnetic fields.
3. HARDNESS
BeCu’s hardness and flexibility are two of its most important properties. Depending on what you want to happen, you can use different heat treatment methods to soften or harden the alloy. When heated in a certain way, it becomes the alloy that is the strongest and hardest. In fact, it is as hard as high-grade alloy steels, but it still has the good qualities of BeCu, like being electrically conductive and resistant to corrosion.
4. CORROSION RESISTANCE
Even compared to other specialty copper alloys, beryllium copper has very high corrosion resistance. Because alloy 172 is naturally resistant to corrosion, it is often used to make products and parts that have to go through a lot of wear and tear. Wire, electronic springs and connectors, oil and gas equipment components, automotive powertrain components, and undersea and marine telecom components were among the products made from beryllium copper. The fact that beryllium copper doesn’t tarnish easily is one of the reasons why it is so popular for making electronic parts.
5. MACHINABILITY
BeCu is machinable if it can be shaped, machined, and metal-worked with comparable ease. Copper-beryllium is an alloy with modest levels of hardness. It is, therefore, extremely machinable. After processing, the desired hardness can be achieved by heating beryllium copper. The alloy retains its form following heat treatment.
CONTACT KALPATARU PIPING SOLUTIONS TODAY!
At Kalpataru Piping Solutions, we provide beryllium copper in a variety of grades. We offer an extensive selection of copper products, and clients can buy them in large or small amounts. If you’d like to learn more about our material offerings, Contact us today.
Read More:
Why are beryllium copper tools so expensive? : Inside let us learn about why beryllium copper tools are so expensive. Kalpataru Piping Solutions is a leading supplier of Beryllium Copper.
Differences Between Regular Copper and Beryllium Copper: Beryllium copper is a copper alloy containing less than 3% beryllium and occasionally additional elements. Beryllium copper combines great strength with non-magnetic characteristics and no sparking.
