Copper Alloy C17500-TD04
Supply condition
UNS C17500 · ASTM B441 · EN CuCo2Be, CW104C
TD04 = 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.
Values for the TD04 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
TD04This page 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-TD04?
C17500-TD04 is C17500 supplied in the TD04 condition — mill-hard strip/rod supplied for parts that will be stamped and then age hardened, or where only moderate strength is needed. C17500-TD04 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi). C17500-TD04 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; TD04 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 138 GPa (20 Msi), better than 95% of copper alloy grades
- High strength — 500 MPa (72.5 ksi), better than 89% of copper alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 76% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 83% of copper alloy grades
C17500-TD04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17500-TD04; 12 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-TD04 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-TD04 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 138 GPa (20 Msi).
Thermal6
C17500-TD04 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.6 µm/m·K (9.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17500-TD04 conducts electricity at 23 % IACS, better than 56% 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-TD04 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-TD04's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 64% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C17500-TD04
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-TD04 — frequently asked
What is C17500-TD04 used for?
C17500-TD04 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-TD04?
C17500-TD04 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 89% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C17500-TD04 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 64% 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-TD04 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-TD04?
Takes a high polish for mold inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal — no anodizing (copper alloy).
Can C17500-TD04 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-TD04?
C17500-TD04 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.