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Copper Alloy C17500-TD02

Supply condition

UNS C17500 · ASTM B441 · EN CuCo2Be, CW104C

TD02 = solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard

Intermediate strip/wire condition when some cold formability must be retained before aging.

High cost $$$$

Values for the TD02 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution heat treated
Softest, most formable condition — pick for deep drawing, bending or machining before age hardening.1903103085 HB22 % IACS
TD02This page
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard
Intermediate strip/wire condition when some cold formability must be retained before aging.41548012145 HB22 % 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.5005508160 HB23 % 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.6207601523 HRC52 % IACS
TD02 and precipitation hardened
Mill-hardened strip balance of strength and residual formability for stamped spring contacts.690790824 HRC52 % IACS
TD04 and precipitation hardened
Highest-strength C17500 condition — for heavily loaded electrodes, springs and wear parts where conductivity must stay ≈45% IACS.760830727 HRC50 % IACS

What is C17500-TD02?

C17500-TD02 is C17500 supplied in the TD02 condition — intermediate strip/wire condition when some cold formability must be retained before aging. C17500-TD02 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). C17500-TD02 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; TD02 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Stiff — 130 GPa (18.9 Msi), better than 89% of copper alloy grades
  • High strength — 415 MPa (60.2 ksi), better than 82% of copper alloy grades
  • Readily welded — 65/100, better than 80% of copper alloy grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades

C17500-TD02 properties

Typical room-temperature values for C17500-TD02; 21 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-TD02 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).

Density8.75 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,030°C1,886 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,070°C1,958 °F

Mechanical14

C17500-TD02 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus130 GPa18.9 Msi
Shear Modulus53 GPa7.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus115 GPa16.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)480 MPa69.6 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)415 MPa60.2 ksi
Elongation at Break12%
Reduction in Area40%
Shear Strength300 MPa43.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)165 MPa23.9 ksi
Hardness, Brinell145 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C23 HRC
Hardness, Vickers150 HV

Thermal6

C17500-TD02 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).

Thermal Conductivity105 W/m·K60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17.6 µm/m·K9.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion205 J/g88.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

C17500-TD02 conducts electricity at 22 % IACS, better than 55% of copper alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity22 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity7.8×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.07 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.22 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood65/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh/sea water, steam and most non-oxidizing acids; attacked by ammonia, nitric acid, oxidizing acids and sulphide-bearing media; forms a protective dark oxide in air.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C17500-TD02 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)6.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

C17500-TD02's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 67% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)15%
WeldabilityGood65/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
CastabilityGood55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood65/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C17500-TD02

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Be0.4 – 0.70.55
CoNi may substitute for part of Co in some specs2.4 – 2.72.55
Nicounted with Co in some registrations≤ 0.2—
Fe≤ 0.1—
Si≤ 0.2—
Al≤ 0.2—
CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 %balance—

C17500-TD02 — frequently asked

What is C17500-TD02 used for?

C17500-TD02 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-TD02?

C17500-TD02 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 82% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is C17500-TD02 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-TD02 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). 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-TD02?

Takes a high polish for mold inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal — no anodizing (copper alloy).

Can C17500-TD02 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-TD02?

C17500-TD02 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

  1. ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Nickel-Beryllium Rod and Bar — ASTM (2019)
  2. Materion Alloy 3 (C17500) Technical Data — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2021)
  3. CDA Alloy C17500 Properties — Copper Development Association (2023)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Copper and Copper Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. 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.