Copper Alloy C17450-TM06
Precip hard
UNS C17450 · ASTM B441
TM06 = mill hardened, extra hard
Higher contact force and better stress relaxation, at the cost of larger minimum bend radii.
Values for the TM06 condition
Other C17450 tempers and conditions
C17450 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at C17450.
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 |
TM06This page 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-TM06?
C17450-TM06 is C17450 in the TM06 condition — higher contact force and better stress relaxation, at the cost of larger minimum bend radii. C17450-TM06 has a yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi). C17450-TM06 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). TM04 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TM06 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 655 MPa (95 ksi), better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of copper alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 48 % IACS, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 76% of copper alloy grades
C17450-TM06 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17450-TM06; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C17450 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C17450-TM06 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-TM06 has a yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C17450-TM06 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17450-TM06 conducts electricity at 48 % IACS, better than 78% 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-TM06 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-TM06's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 55% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (52/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C17450-TM06
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.
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.
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) | — |
C17450-TM06 — frequently asked
What is C17450-TM06 used for?
C17450-TM06 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-TM06?
C17450-TM06 has a typical yield strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 96% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C17450-TM06 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 55% 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-TM06 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (52/100). 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-TM06?
Readily tin-, nickel-, silver- or gold-plated for contact surfaces; solders and brazes well, takes a bright polish, and no anodizing applies.
Can C17450-TM06 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-TM06?
C17450-TM06 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.