Copper Alloy C17200 · temper · default condition
Copper Alloy C17200-A
Properties of the A condition, compared with the other C17200 tempers.
Softest, most formable condition — stamp/deep-draw/machine first, then age to full strength.
What is C17200-A?
C17200-A is C17200 in the A temper — softest, most formable condition — stamp/deep-draw/machine first, then age to full strength. C17200-A 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). C17200-A has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
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 87% 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-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17200-A — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C17200 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C17200-A has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
Mechanical13
C17200-A 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-A 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-A conducts electricity at 17 % IACS, worse than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17200-A 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-A's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 52% 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.
Other C17200 tempers and conditions
C17200 is also supplied in 15 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C17200 overview.
- ADefaultSoftest, most formable condition — stamp/deep-draw/machine first, then age to full strength.260 MPa yield · 105 HB
- TH04Peak strength/hardness of the alloy family — flat parts, bushings, wear surfaces; very limited formability.1,240 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- HStandard fully hardened condition for springs, moulds and non-sparking tools when formed or machined from condition A.1,100 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- TF00Condition 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 MPa yield · 39 HRC
Working with C17200-A
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.
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.
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 | — |
C17200-A — frequently asked
What is C17200-A used for?
C17200-A 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-A?
C17200-A 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-A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 52% 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-A 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-A?
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-A 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-A?
C17200-A 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C17200-A?
Yes — C17200-A is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.