Copper Alloy C17300 · heat-treated state
Copper Alloy C17300-H
Properties of the H condition, compared with the other C17300 tempers.
Standard fully heat-treated condition (≈315 °C/3 h) for springs, tooling and high-strength machined parts.
What is C17300-H?
C17300-H is C17300 heat treated to H — standard fully heat-treated condition (≈315 °C/3 h) for springs, tooling and high-strength machined parts. C17300-H has a yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,220 MPa (177 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 131 GPa (19 Msi). C17300-H 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). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,035 MPa (150 ksi), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 131 GPa (19 Msi), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 91% of copper alloy grades
C17300-H properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17300-H — 20 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C17300 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C17300-H 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
C17300-H has a yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,220 MPa (177 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 131 GPa (19 Msi).
Thermal6
C17300-H is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17300-H conducts electricity at 23 % IACS, better than 56% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 51% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17300-H takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
C17300-H's machinability is good (60/100, better than 75% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C17300 tempers and conditions
C17300 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C17300 overview.
- ADefaultSoft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing.220 MPa yield · 110 HB
- TH04Peak strength and hardness condition; choose for maximum wear/bearing loads, ductility is minimal.1,240 MPa yield · 42 HRC
- HStandard fully heat-treated condition (≈315 °C/3 h) for springs, tooling and high-strength machined parts.1,035 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- TF00Solution-annealed C17300 given a full precipitation age (~315–345 °C), giving peak strength and hardness with the free-machining benefit of the lead addition; ductility is low.1,035 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- TD04Maximum cold-worked strength without ageing; best chip control on screw machines.660 MPa yield · 22 HRC
Working with C17300-H
Is C17300 easy to machine?
Lead makes it the easiest BeCu to turn (~60 % of AISI 1212); machine in Condition A or TD tempers, use carbide, flood coolant and wet dust control — beryllium-containing swarf and dust must be captured.
Can C17300 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended because of the lead; use resistance/spot welding, mechanical joints, or silver brazing with careful flux and post-braze re-ageing.
Can C17300 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and thread only in Condition A or 1/4–1/2 hard; age at ~315 °C for 2–3 h afterwards, allowing ~0.1–0.2 % dimensional shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on C17300?
Not anodizable; electroless Ni, Ni/Au or Ag plating, passivation or bright polishing are standard — avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent stress-corrosion cracking.
C17300 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 |
|---|---|---|
| BeASTM B196 C17300 | 1.8 – 2 | 1.9 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Ni+Co0.20 % minimum | ≥ 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Ni+Co+Fe0.6 % maximum combined | ≤ 0.6 | — |
| Curemainder, ~97.3 % | balance | — |
C17300-H — frequently asked
What is C17300-H used for?
C17300-H is typically used for automatic-lathe pins and plungers, machined electrical contacts, miniature connector sockets, valve components, mould and die inserts and non-sparking safety tools. In short: high-strength copper; conductive.
What is the yield strength of C17300-H?
C17300-H has a typical yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,220 MPa (177 ksi) — stronger than 100% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C17300-H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 75% of copper alloy grades). Lead makes it the easiest BeCu to turn (~60 % of AISI 1212); machine in Condition A or TD tempers, use carbide, flood coolant and wet dust control — beryllium-containing swarf and dust must be captured.
Can C17300-H be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Fusion welding is not recommended because of the lead; use resistance/spot welding, mechanical joints, or silver brazing with careful flux and post-braze re-ageing.
What surface finishes work on C17300-H?
Not anodizable; electroless Ni, Ni/Au or Ag plating, passivation or bright polishing are standard — avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent stress-corrosion cracking.
Can C17300-H be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and thread only in Condition A or 1/4–1/2 hard; age at ~315 °C for 2–3 h afterwards, allowing ~0.1–0.2 % dimensional shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17300-H?
C17300-H is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C17300-A and C17300-TH04?
A is the default condition — soft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing. TH04: peak strength and hardness condition; choose for maximum wear/bearing loads, ductility is minimal. Yield strength is 220 MPa in A versus 1,240 MPa in TH04.
Can FabDigit make parts in C17300-H?
Yes — C17300-H 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 B196/B196M — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Beryllium Rod/Bar (related tempers) — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy C17300 property sheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- Alloy 25 / Alloy M25 technical data — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of 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.