Copper Alloy C17510
UNS C17510 · ASTM B441 · EN CW110C
C17510 is a low-beryllium copper–nickel–beryllium age-hardening alloy (Cu-0.3Be-1.9Ni, "Alloy 3") to ASTM B441 / CW110C, strengthened by NiBe precipitates.
Values for the A condition
C17510 tempers and conditions
C17510 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Pick for maximum formability/machining of complex shapes before customer age-hardening. | 170 | 310 | 25 | 70 HB | 22 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard | Cold-worked stock used when a moderate strength increase after subsequent ageing is wanted. | 415 | 500 | 12 | 130 HB | 22 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Fully cold-drawn unaged rod/wire; ages to the highest strength (TH04). | 500 | 570 | 8 | 150 HB | 21 % IACS |
Mill hardened, half hard | Strip/plate supplied already aged by the mill for form-and-use parts where in-house heat treatment is impractical. | 550 | 690 | 15 | 13 HRC | 48 % IACS |
solution annealed then precipitation aged | Standard age-hardened condition for machined parts: high conductivity with 690–830 MPa strength and low residual stress. | 620 | 725 | 15 | 22 HRC | 50 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Compromise between AT and TH04: higher strength than AT with more ductility than fully hard aged. | 690 | 795 | 12 | 25 HRC | 48 % IACS |
Hardened | Highest strength condition of C17510 — pick for welding electrode holders, dies and high-load conductive springs. | 725 | 830 | 10 | 28 HRC | 50 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | C17510 cold worked to full hard before ageing, giving the peak strength and hardness of the alloy while keeping ~45–55 % IACS conductivity, at the cost of low ductility. | 760 | 830 | 8 | 28 HRC | 48 % IACS |
What is C17510?
C17510 is a low-beryllium copper–nickel–beryllium age-hardening alloy (Cu-0.3Be-1.9Ni, "Alloy 3") to ASTM B441 / CW110C, strengthened by NiBe precipitates. Aged material combines medium-high strength with 45–55 % IACS and roughly 200–250 W/m·K, which is why it is chosen for resistance-welding electrode holders, mould inserts, high-current spring contacts and heat-conducting structural parts in rod, plate and strip; annealed stock on file runs 310 MPa tensile, 170 MPa yield and 25 % elongation at 35 HRB. Strength is below high-beryllium C17200, cost is high, beryllium dust and fume require controlled extraction, and continuous service is limited to about 200 °C. C17510 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F). C17510 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 131 GPa (19 Msi).
What is C17510 used for?
- Resistance spot-welding electrode holders
- Welding electrode plunger tips
- Injection mould inserts and cores
- High-current spring contacts
- Connector components
- Heat-sink and conductive structural parts
- Die inserts for casting tools
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 95 MPa·√m (86.5 ksi·√in), better than 100% of copper alloy grades
- Stiff — 131 GPa (19 Msi), better than 91% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 85% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of copper alloy grades
C17510 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17510-A; bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
C17510 has a density of 8.75 g/cm³ (0.316 lb/in³), lighter than 51% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 1,000°C (1,832 °F).
Mechanical15
C17510 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 131 GPa (19 Msi).
Thermal5
C17510 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
C17510 conducts electricity at 22 % IACS, better than 55% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17510 takes about 65 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
C17510's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades); weldability good (58/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. C17510 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C17510
Is C17510 easy to machine?
Machine mainly in the aged condition with sharp carbide tools, positive rake and flood coolant; soft TB00 stock is gummy — always capture beryllium-bearing dust/mist with local exhaust and wet methods.
Can C17510 be welded?
Resistance, GTAW, EBW and laser welding are all practical (use matching or Cu-Ni filler); re-solution-treat and age welds to restore strength, and control fume exposure to Be.
Can C17510 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and coin in the TB00/TD tempers, then age 3 h at ~480 °C (allow for slight growth and springback); avoid severe forming after ageing.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C17510. Every C17510 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.5 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 220 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 6× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better58 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
C17510 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Beberyllium — precipitation former | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| NiNi (Co may substitute in part per some specs) | 1.4 – 2.2 | 1.9 |
| Coincidental / partial Ni substitute | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Feimpurity limit (typical mill practice) | ≤ 0.1 | |
| CuCu + named elements ≥ 99.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on C17510?
Not anodizable — bright dip/passivate for a copper finish, or electroless nickel, silver or hard chrome plate for wear/contact surfaces; polishes to a mirror finish in the aged condition.
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).
Passivation
Plating
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Copper Alloy C17510 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- B441
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- CW110C
- Trade names
- Nickel Beryllium CopperNiBeCu
How much does C17510 cost?
C17510 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
C17510 — frequently asked
What is C17510 used for?
C17510 is typically used for resistance spot-welding electrode holders, welding electrode plunger tips, injection mould inserts and cores, high-current spring contacts, connector components and heat-sink and conductive structural parts. In short: spring-tempered copper.
What is the yield strength of C17510?
C17510 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 62% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C17510 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 86% of copper alloy grades). Machine mainly in the aged condition with sharp carbide tools, positive rake and flood coolant; soft TB00 stock is gummy — always capture beryllium-bearing dust/mist with local exhaust and wet methods.
Can C17510 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). Resistance, GTAW, EBW and laser welding are all practical (use matching or Cu-Ni filler); re-solution-treat and age welds to restore strength, and control fume exposure to Be.
What surface finishes work on C17510?
Not anodizable — bright dip/passivate for a copper finish, or electroless nickel, silver or hard chrome plate for wear/contact surfaces; polishes to a mirror finish in the aged condition.
Can C17510 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and coin in the TB00/TD tempers, then age 3 h at ~480 °C (allow for slight growth and springback); avoid severe forming after ageing.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17510?
C17510 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 C17510-A and C17510-TH04?
A is the default condition — pick for maximum formability/machining of complex shapes before customer age-hardening. TH04: c17510 cold worked to full hard before ageing, giving the peak strength and hardness of the alloy while keeping ~45–55 % IACS conductivity, at the cost of low ductility. Yield strength is 170 MPa in A versus 760 MPa in TH04.
How much does C17510 cost?
C17510 is a specialty-cost copper alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C17510?
Yes — C17510 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Nickel-Beryllium Rod and Bar — ASTM (2019)
- ASTM B534 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium / Copper-Nickel-Beryllium Plate, Sheet, Strip and Rolled Bar — ASTM (2019)
- Materion Alloy 3 (C17510) technical datasheet — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2022)
- C17510 alloy property sheet — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2021)
- 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.