Copper Alloy C17500-TB00
Heat-treated state
UNS C17500 · ASTM B441 · EN CuCo2Be, CW104C
TB00 = solution heat treated
Softest, most formable condition — pick for deep drawing, bending or machining before age hardening.
Values for the TB00 condition
Other C17500 tempers and conditions
C17500 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C17500.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TB00This page Solution heat treated | Softest, most formable condition — pick for deep drawing, bending or machining before age hardening. | 190 | 310 | 30 | 85 HB | 22 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard | Intermediate strip/wire condition when some cold formability must be retained before aging. | 415 | 480 | 12 | 145 HB | 22 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Mill-hard strip/rod supplied for parts that will be stamped and then age hardened, or where only moderate strength is needed. | 500 | 550 | 8 | 160 HB | 23 % IACS |
TF00Default Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard stocked bar/plate condition for RWMA Class 3 welding electrodes, mold inserts and high-current contacts. | 620 | 760 | 15 | 23 HRC | 52 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Mill-hardened strip balance of strength and residual formability for stamped spring contacts. | 690 | 790 | 8 | 24 HRC | 52 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Highest-strength C17500 condition — for heavily loaded electrodes, springs and wear parts where conductivity must stay ≈45% IACS. | 760 | 830 | 7 | 27 HRC | 50 % IACS |
What is C17500-TB00?
C17500-TB00 is C17500 heat treated to TB00 — softest, most formable condition — pick for deep drawing, bending or machining before age hardening. C17500-TB00 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). C17500-TB00 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F). TF00 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TB00 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 130 GPa (18.9 Msi), better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 75% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
C17500-TB00 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17500-TB00; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C17500 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C17500-TB00 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,030°C (1,886 °F).
Mechanical14
C17500-TB00 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
Thermal6
C17500-TB00 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17500-TB00 conducts electricity at 22 % IACS, better than 55% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17500-TB00 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%.
Manufacturability7
C17500-TB00's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C17500-TB00
Is C17500 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough copper alloy at ~20–30% of AISI 1212; use sharp carbide, positive rake, flood coolant and local exhaust/wet methods to control beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C17500 be welded?
Resistance, GTAW and EB welding are practical with matching or Si-bronze filler; avoid oxy-fuel, and re-age after welding since the HAZ over-ages and softens.
Can C17500 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or draw in TB00/TD02 then age at ~455–480 °C for 2–3 h; aged TH04 stock has little remaining ductility and cracks on tight bends.
What surface finishes work on C17500?
Takes a high polish for mold inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal — no anodizing (copper alloy).
C17500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Be | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| CoNi may substitute for part of Co in some specs | 2.4 – 2.7 | 2.55 |
| Nicounted with Co in some registrations | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Al | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % | balance | — |
C17500-TB00 — frequently asked
What is C17500-TB00 used for?
C17500-TB00 is typically used for resistance welding electrodes, bushings/bearings, high-conductivity springs and molds for glass/rubber. In short: cobalt-beryllium electrode copper; high conductivity plus strength; beryllium dust controls required.
What is the yield strength of C17500-TB00?
C17500-TB00 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 57% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C17500-TB00 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a tough copper alloy at ~20–30% of AISI 1212; use sharp carbide, positive rake, flood coolant and local exhaust/wet methods to control beryllium-bearing dust.
Can C17500-TB00 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Resistance, GTAW and EB welding are practical with matching or Si-bronze filler; avoid oxy-fuel, and re-age after welding since the HAZ over-ages and softens.
What surface finishes work on C17500-TB00?
Takes a high polish for mold inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal — no anodizing (copper alloy).
Can C17500-TB00 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend or draw in TB00/TD02 then age at ~455–480 °C for 2–3 h; aged TH04 stock has little remaining ductility and cracks on tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17500-TB00?
C17500-TB00 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 C17500-TF00 and C17500-TB00?
TF00 is the default condition — standard stocked bar/plate condition for RWMA Class 3 welding electrodes, mold inserts and high-current contacts. TB00: softest, most formable condition — pick for deep drawing, bending or machining before age hardening. Yield strength is 620 MPa in TF00 versus 190 MPa in TB00.
Sources
- ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Nickel-Beryllium Rod and Bar — ASTM (2019)
- Materion Alloy 3 (C17500) Technical Data — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2021)
- CDA Alloy C17500 Properties — Copper Development Association (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN CW104C (CuCo2Be) — Copper and copper alloys, wrought products — CEN (2016)
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.