Copper Alloy C17200
UNS C17200 · EN CuBe2, CW101C · JIS C1720 · GB TBe2
C17200 (CuBe2, beryllium copper) is a high-copper alloy with about 1.9 % Be that is age-hardenable: in solution-annealed condition A it stamps and forms easily at 260 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation, 105 HB, 128 GPa and 17 % IACS, and ageing near 315 °C takes strength above 1200 MPa while retaining roughly 22 % IACS with non-magnetic, non-sparking behaviour.
Values for the A condition
C17200 tempers and conditions
C17200 is supplied in 16 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 16 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Softest, most formable condition — stamp/deep-draw/machine first, then age to full strength. | 260 | 490 | 45 | 105 HB | 17 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, quarter hard | Light cold work before aging — higher pre-age stiffness with usable bend formability. | 480 | 560 | 28 | 150 HB | 17 % IACS |
Mill hardened | Mill-hardened strip: formable and already aged — no in-house heat treatment or distortion control needed. | 570 | 760 | 22 | 220 HB | 24 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard | Medium cold work for parts needing more spring-back before precipitation hardening. | 585 | 640 | 15 | 190 HB | 17 % IACS |
1/4 HM | Mill-hardened level with good bendability for connector contacts. | 670 | 825 | 17 | 24 HRC | 24 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Maximum cold work before aging; gives the highest attainable aged strength (HT). | 690 | 760 | 5 | 225 HB | 17 % IACS |
Mill hardened, half hard | Balanced mill-hardened temper for stamped springs with moderate bends. | 775 | 895 | 14 | 27 HRC | 24 % IACS |
Mill hardened, full hard | Common connector-spring temper: high strength with adequate 90° bend capability. | 845 | 965 | 11 | 30 HRC | 24 % IACS |
SHM | Higher spring force for miniature contacts where bends are gentle. | 930 | 1,035 | 9 | 32 HRC | 24 % IACS |
Mill hardened, extra hard | Near-maximum mill-hardened strength for flat springs with large bend radii. | 1,000 | 1,105 | 7 | 34 HRC | 24 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Condition A material precipitation-aged (~315 °C/2–3 h) to peak strength with no prior cold work — full hardness with the best dimensional stability and isotropy of the aged tempers. | 1,070 | 1,210 | 6 | 39 HRC | 23 % IACS |
Mill hardened, spring hard | Highest mill-hardened level offered; choose only when in-house aging is impossible and bends are minimal. | 1,070 | 1,170 | 5 | 36 HRC | 24 % IACS |
Hardened | Standard fully hardened condition for springs, moulds and non-sparking tools when formed or machined from condition A. | 1,100 | 1,240 | 6 | 39 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD01 and precipitation hardened | Cold worked then aged; higher strength than AT with slightly lower ductility. | 1,140 | 1,275 | 4 | 41 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Higher-strength aged strip/rod for heavily loaded contacts and springs of simple shape. | 1,170 | 1,310 | 3 | 42 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Peak strength/hardness of the alloy family — flat parts, bushings, wear surfaces; very limited formability. | 1,240 | 1,380 | 2 | 43 HRC | 22 % IACS |
What is C17200?
C17200 (CuBe2, beryllium copper) is a high-copper alloy with about 1.9 % Be that is age-hardenable: in solution-annealed condition A it stamps and forms easily at 260 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation, 105 HB, 128 GPa and 17 % IACS, and ageing near 315 °C takes strength above 1200 MPa while retaining roughly 22 % IACS with non-magnetic, non-sparking behaviour. It is supplied as strip, sheet, rod and plate in A, H and the TD/TH/TM temper series for springs, contacts, mould inserts and tooling. Limits are the occupational health risk of beryllium-bearing dust and fume, high material cost, continuous service around 150 °C, and over-ageing softening above roughly 200 °C. C17200 has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F). C17200 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
What is C17200 used for?
- Precision springs and diaphragms
- Connector and switch contact springs
- Injection mould inserts and core pins
- Non-sparking and downhole tools
- Bellows and flexible seals
- Bushings and heavy-load bearings
- Welding electrode holders and jaws
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 89% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
C17200 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17200-A; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C17200 has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
Mechanical13
C17200 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C17200 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 56% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17200 conducts electricity at 17 % IACS, better than 50% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17200 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C17200's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the copper alloy family
Yield strength against density for every copper alloy grade FabDigit runs. C17200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C17200
Is C17200 easy to machine?
Machine in condition A with sharp positive-rake tools and flood coolant (gummy, chips smear); finish-machine in the aged state where tolerance matters — always capture Be-containing dust with wet cutting/HEPA extraction.
Can C17200 be welded?
Resistance and electron-beam welding are good; GTAW is possible with C17200 filler under argon but the HAZ over-ages — re-age the assembly at ~315 °C afterwards and control beryllium fume.
Can C17200 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, coil, draw and stamp in condition A (bend radii down to ~1t); age 2–3 h at 315 °C (or 2 h at 340 °C for cold-worked stock) with fixturing to control the ~0.2 % growth/distortion.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C17200. Every C17200 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair90 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better45 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C17200 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Beprimary hardening element | 1.8 – 2 | 1.9 |
| Co+Ni0.20 % minimum sum | ≥ 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Co+Ni+Fe0.6 % maximum sum | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Pbimpurity limit (C17300 is the leaded free-machining version) | ≤ 0.2 | |
| CuCu + named elements 99.5 % min | balance |
What surface finishes work on C17200?
Takes mirror polishing and electroless-nickel, nickel or gold plating well; no anodizing — pickle in dilute sulphuric/hydrogen-peroxide to remove the tenacious beryllium oxide before plating or brazing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on copper alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C17200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CuBe2CW101C2.1247
- GB (China)
- TBe2
- JIS
- C1720
- Trade names
- BeCuBeryllium CopperCA172
- Also called
- Beryllium Bronze
- Similar grades
- QBe2
How much does C17200 cost?
C17200 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C17200 — frequently asked
What is C17200 used for?
C17200 is typically used for precision springs and diaphragms, connector and switch contact springs, injection mould inserts and core pins, non-sparking and downhole tools, bellows and flexible seals and bushings and heavy-load bearings. In short: highest strength copper alloy.
What is the yield strength of C17200?
C17200 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 16 listed tempers.
Is C17200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Machine in condition A with sharp positive-rake tools and flood coolant (gummy, chips smear); finish-machine in the aged state where tolerance matters — always capture Be-containing dust with wet cutting/HEPA extraction.
Can C17200 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Resistance and electron-beam welding are good; GTAW is possible with C17200 filler under argon but the HAZ over-ages — re-age the assembly at ~315 °C afterwards and control beryllium fume.
What surface finishes work on C17200?
Takes mirror polishing and electroless-nickel, nickel or gold plating well; no anodizing — pickle in dilute sulphuric/hydrogen-peroxide to remove the tenacious beryllium oxide before plating or brazing.
Can C17200 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, coil, draw and stamp in condition A (bend radii down to ~1t); age 2–3 h at 315 °C (or 2 h at 340 °C for cold-worked stock) with fixturing to control the ~0.2 % growth/distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17200?
C17200 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C17200-A and C17200-TH04?
A is the default condition — softest, most formable condition — stamp/deep-draw/machine first, then age to full strength. TH04: peak strength/hardness of the alloy family — flat parts, bushings, wear surfaces; very limited formability. Yield strength is 260 MPa in A versus 1,240 MPa in TH04.
How much does C17200 cost?
C17200 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in C17200?
Yes — C17200 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B194 — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B196 — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- Alloy 25 (C17200) Technical Datasheet — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2021)
- CDA Alloy Database — C17200 — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.