Copper Alloy C17450
UNS C17450 · ASTM B441
C17450 is a low-beryllium precipitation-hardening copper to ASTM B441, formulated for higher electrical conductivity than standard beryllium coppers while retaining spring-grade strength.
Reference datasheet — C17450 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the TM04 condition
C17450 tempers and conditions
C17450 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. TM04 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Softest condition for deep forming or heavy machining before customer-performed age hardening. | 170 | 330 | 35 | 45 HRB | 25 % IACS |
Mill hardened | Pick when the part needs tight-radius bends and only moderate spring force, with no post-forming heat treatment. | 420 | 550 | 18 | 82 HRB | 57 % IACS |
Mill hardened, half hard | Balanced strength/formability for stamped connector springs with medium bend radii. | 515 | 620 | 15 | 9 HRC | 53 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Formed or machined from TB00, then aged in-house; typical for rod, bar and machined contact parts. | 550 | 655 | 15 | 92 HRB | 50 % IACS |
TM04Default Mill hardened, full hard | The standard stocked strip temper: best all-round mix of spring force, conductivity and bendability for high-current contacts. | 600 | 700 | 12 | 93 HRB | 50 % IACS |
Mill hardened, extra hard | Higher contact force and better stress relaxation, at the cost of larger minimum bend radii. | 655 | 760 | 10 | 20 HRC | 48 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Highest-strength rod/bar route: cold draw to hard temper, then age; use where machining precedes minimal forming. | 690 | 760 | 10 | 20 HRC | 48 % IACS |
Mill hardened, spring hard | Maximum spring strength of the mill-hardened series; use for flat or gently formed parts needing high contact normal force. | 725 | 825 | 8 | 99 HRB | 45 % IACS |
What is C17450?
C17450 is a low-beryllium precipitation-hardening copper to ASTM B441, formulated for higher electrical conductivity than standard beryllium coppers while retaining spring-grade strength. Supplied as strip in TB00, TF00, TH04 and mill-hardened TM00–TM08 for stamped high-current contacts, it provides 600 MPa yield, 700 MPa tensile, 12% elongation, 93 HRB, 50% IACS and 210 W/m·K, with formability rated 55. Machining is slow (~20% of AISI 1212), service temperature is limited to 200 °C, and beryllium handling controls apply. C17410 is the nearest alternative when higher strength is needed. C17450 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F). C17450 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
What is C17450 used for?
- High-current connectors
- Battery contacts
- RF shielding fingers
Advantages
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 50 % IACS, better than 79% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
C17450 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17450-TM04; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C17450 has a density of 8.8 g/cm³ (0.318 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).
Mechanical12
C17450 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C17450 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17450 conducts electricity at 50 % IACS, better than 79% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 76% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17450 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
C17450's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (55/100).
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. C17450 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C17450
Is C17450 easy to machine?
Machines like a hard bronze (~20 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; wet-cut and capture all dust/fume because of beryllium exposure limits.
Can C17450 be welded?
Excellent for resistance and laser welding of contacts; GTAW/EBW possible with matching filler but the HAZ over-ages and loses strength unless re-aged, and ventilation for Be fume is mandatory.
Can C17450 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp and bend in the mill-hardened temper chosen for the bend radius (TM00/TM02 for tight bends); alternatively form in TB00 and age 2–3 h at ~455–480 °C, allowing for slight growth.
C17450 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Below-beryllium precipitation hardener | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Ni | 1 – 1.4 | 1.2 |
| ZrZr addition distinguishes the C17450/C17460 registrations; confirm against the governing ASTM/CDA sheet for the specific supply | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 %; other elements by agreement | ≥ 96.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on C17450?
Readily tin-, nickel-, silver- or gold-plated for contact surfaces; solders and brazes well, takes a bright polish, and no anodizing applies.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C17450 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B441
How much does C17450 cost?
C17450 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
C17450 — frequently asked
What is C17450 used for?
C17450 is typically used for high-current connectors, battery contacts and RF shielding fingers. In short: high-conductivity spring copper; mill-hardened contact strip; beryllium handling required.
What is the yield strength of C17450?
C17450 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 94% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C17450 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a hard bronze (~20 % of AISI 1212) — use sharp carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; wet-cut and capture all dust/fume because of beryllium exposure limits.
Can C17450 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent for resistance and laser welding of contacts; GTAW/EBW possible with matching filler but the HAZ over-ages and loses strength unless re-aged, and ventilation for Be fume is mandatory.
What surface finishes work on C17450?
Readily tin-, nickel-, silver- or gold-plated for contact surfaces; solders and brazes well, takes a bright polish, and no anodizing applies.
Can C17450 be formed, bent or molded?
Stamp and bend in the mill-hardened temper chosen for the bend radius (TM00/TM02 for tight bends); alternatively form in TB00 and age 2–3 h at ~455–480 °C, allowing for slight growth.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17450?
C17450 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 C17450-TM04 and C17450-TB00?
TM04 is the default condition — the standard stocked strip temper: best all-round mix of spring force, conductivity and bendability for high-current contacts. TB00: softest condition for deep forming or heavy machining before customer-performed age hardening. Yield strength is 600 MPa in TM04 versus 170 MPa in TB00.
How much does C17450 cost?
C17450 is a high-cost copper alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Nickel-Beryllium Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B768 — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Strip (low-beryllium grades) — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA/UNS Alloy Datasheet C17450 — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
- High-conductivity copper beryllium strip (mill-hardened tempers) technical data — Materion / NGK Metals (2022)
- 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.