Copper Alloy TBe1.9-T6
Temper
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Heat-treated castings for heavy-load bushings, guide blocks and plastic-mould inserts needing ~1000 MPa and 320–360 HB.
Values for the T6 condition
Other TBe1.9 tempers and conditions
TBe1.9 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at TBe1.9.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated | Pick for maximum formability: deep-drawn, bent or coined parts that will be precipitation aged after forming. | 240 | 480 | 40 | 100 HB | 17 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-cast blanks for bushings, mould inserts and non-sparking tools that will be solution treated and aged after rough machining. | 260 | 480 | 15 | 130 HB | 17 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, quarter hard | Light cold work for moderate forming with slightly higher as-formed strength before ageing. | 450 | 590 | 20 | 165 HB | 17 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, half hard | Half-hard strip/bar for mild bending, later aged to reach high strength with better flatness. | 550 | 660 | 12 | 12 HRC | 17 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and cold worked, full hard | Fully cold-worked, un-aged strip/wire; use where springs are aged after coiling or where dimensional stability matters. | 700 | 760 | 4 | 21 HRC | 17 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Heat-treated castings for heavy-load bushings, guide blocks and plastic-mould inserts needing ~1000 MPa and 320–360 HB. | 930 | 1,070 | 1.5 | 36 HRC | 21 % IACS |
TF00Default Solution heat treated and precipitation hardened | Standard stock condition for machined bar, plate, bushings and mould inserts needing ~1200 MPa strength with 36–40 HRC. | 1,030 | 1,200 | 4 | 38 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD01 and precipitation hardened | Aged after light cold work: slightly higher strength than TF00 with usable ductility for formed springs. | 1,070 | 1,200 | 4 | 39 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD02 and precipitation hardened | Common strip condition for high-load contacts and springs where formability was consumed before ageing. | 1,100 | 1,260 | 3 | 40 HRC | 22 % IACS |
TD04 and precipitation hardened | Highest strength/hardness condition — choose for springs, dies and wear parts where forming is finished and ductility is not needed. | 1,210 | 1,380 | 2 | 42 HRC | 22 % IACS |
What is TBe1.9-T6?
TBe1.9-T6 is TBe1.9 in the T6 temper — heat-treated castings for heavy-load bushings, guide blocks and plastic-mould inserts needing ~1000 MPa and 320–360 HB. TBe1.9-T6 has a yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). TBe1.9-T6 has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F). TF00 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 930 MPa (135 ksi), better than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of copper alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), worse than 88% of copper alloy grades
TBe1.9-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TBe1.9-T6; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TBe1.9 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
TBe1.9-T6 has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
Mechanical16
TBe1.9-T6 has a yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
TBe1.9-T6 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 61% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
TBe1.9-T6 conducts electricity at 21 % IACS, better than 53% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 58% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TBe1.9-T6 takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
TBe1.9-T6's machinability is fair (44/100, better than 60% of copper alloy grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TBe1.9-T6
Is TBe1.9 easy to machine?
Machines like a hard bronze in the aged (TF00/TH04) state with carbide tools, positive rake and flood coolant; all cutting, grinding and polishing must be wet or locally exhausted because beryllium-bearing dust and fume are toxic.
Can TBe1.9 be welded?
Fusion welding is difficult (Be oxide film, loss of ageing response) — prefer resistance, laser or electron-beam welding on solution-treated material and re-age afterwards; braze/solder with pre-cleaned, flux-protected joints.
Can TBe1.9 be formed, bent or molded?
Form only in TB00/TD01 tempers then precipitation age (typically ~315–330 °C, 2–3 h) allowing for ~0.1–0.3 % shrinkage; castings need controlled melting under cover and full solution treatment (~790 °C, water quench) before ageing.
What surface finishes work on TBe1.9?
Takes a mirror polish suited to mould inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal, and produces a stable brown patina in air — no anodizing (n/a for copper alloys).
TBe1.9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Beprimary precipitation-hardening element | 1.85 – 2.1 | 1.95 |
| Nigrain refinement / ageing control | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Ti | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Pbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cu | balance | — |
TBe1.9-T6 — frequently asked
What is TBe1.9-T6 used for?
TBe1.9-T6 is typically used for cast bushings/bearings, non-sparking tool castings, mold inserts and wear plates. In short: cast beryllium bronze; high hardness, non-sparking; mirror-polishable mould material.
What is the yield strength of TBe1.9-T6?
TBe1.9-T6 has a typical yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 98% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is TBe1.9-T6 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, better than 60% of copper alloy grades). Machines like a hard bronze in the aged (TF00/TH04) state with carbide tools, positive rake and flood coolant; all cutting, grinding and polishing must be wet or locally exhausted because beryllium-bearing dust and fume are toxic.
Can TBe1.9-T6 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Fusion welding is difficult (Be oxide film, loss of ageing response) — prefer resistance, laser or electron-beam welding on solution-treated material and re-age afterwards; braze/solder with pre-cleaned, flux-protected joints.
What surface finishes work on TBe1.9-T6?
Takes a mirror polish suited to mould inserts; readily nickel-, silver- or gold-plated after oxide removal, and produces a stable brown patina in air — no anodizing (n/a for copper alloys).
Can TBe1.9-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Form only in TB00/TD01 tempers then precipitation age (typically ~315–330 °C, 2–3 h) allowing for ~0.1–0.3 % shrinkage; castings need controlled melting under cover and full solution treatment (~790 °C, water quench) before ageing.
What is the maximum service temperature of TBe1.9-T6?
TBe1.9-T6 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 TBe1.9-TF00 and TBe1.9-TB00?
TF00 is the default condition — standard stock condition for machined bar, plate, bushings and mould inserts needing ~1200 MPa strength with 36–40 HRC. TB00: pick for maximum formability: deep-drawn, bent or coined parts that will be precipitation aged after forming. Yield strength is 1,030 MPa in TF00 versus 240 MPa in TB00.
Sources
- GB/T 2059 / GB/T 2040 — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (C17200) — ASM International (1990)
- Alloy 25 (CuBe2) technical datasheet — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2021)
- C17200 alloy properties — Copper Development Association (copper.org) (2023)
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.