Beryllium copper 173 (BeCu) is a copper alloy that combines high strength and hardness with excellent corrosion and heat resistance. It is also known for its machinability, making it suitable for the automotive and aerospace industries. Let’s take a closer look at this versatile material and discover why it is so important.
What is Beryllium Copper 173(UNS C17300)?
Beryllium Copper 173 or UNS C17300 is an alloy of copper, beryllium, and nickel. Compared to regular beryllium copper, this special alloy has improved strength with excellent fatigue and corrosion resistance in addition to non-magnetic properties. One of the most impressive features of Beryllium Copper 173 is its responsiveness to heat treatment which allows it to be formable and weldable as well as produce a range of hardness levels that make it suitable for any number of applications from delicate diodes and transistors to more demanding marine components. For these reasons, Beryllium Copper 173 plays a vital role in many industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and aerospace production.
What Forms is 173 Beryllium Copper Available at Piping Mart?
- Beryllium Copper 173 Bars
- Beryllium Copper 173 Bolts
- Beryllium Copper 173 Pipes
- Beryllium Copper 173 Screw
- Beryllium Copper 173 Tubing
- Beryllium Copper 173 Valves
- Beryllium Copper 173 Washers
- Beryllium Copper 173 Flanges
- Beryllium Copper 173 Fasteners
- Beryllium Copper 173 Electrodes
173 Beryllium Copper Composition
UNS C17300 consists of 0.4–1.2% beryllium, 1–2% nickel, 0.4–1% cobalt, and the rest is copper. These components work together to create a material with high tensile strength and hardness while remaining ductile enough to form into desired shapes. The addition of beryllium also makes BeCu highly resistant to corrosion – even in acidic environments – and highly resistant to heat treatment (up to 1110F).
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Chemistry Information
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Element
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Percentage
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| Cu | 95.5 – 97.8 |
| Ni | 0.2 – 0.6 |
| Be | 1.8 – 2 |
| Fe | 0 – 0.4 |
| Pb | 0.2 – 0.6 |
| Si | 0 – 0.2 |
| Al | 0 – 0.2 |
| Residual | 0.5 |
173 Beryllium Copper Chemical Properties
UNS C17300 can be cold-worked and hot-worked depending on the desired shape or form. Cold-working BeCu gives it a higher yield strength than hot-working due to its increased hardness, while hot-working results in superior ductility over cold-working methods. Additionally, BeCu can be treated with surface treatments such as anodizing or plating for better corrosion resistance or enhanced aesthetic appeal.
| CU(1) | AL | BE | CO(2) | PB | SI | |
| Min./Max. | Rem. | .20 | 1.80-2.00 | .20 min | .20-.6 | .20 |
| Nominal | 97.7 | – | 1.90 | – | .40 | – |
173 Beryllium Copper Alloy Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of UNS C17300 depend heavily on how it is treated during manufacture; cold working increases tensile strength and hardness but decreases ductility, while hot working does the opposite. Regardless of the method used, however, BeCu will always have excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity due to its composition. This makes BeCu ideal for use in electronics where good thermal conduction is needed, such as computers and other electronic appliances.
| Mechanical Properties | Metric | English | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness, Rockwell C | >= 20 | >= 20 | |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 1140 – 1310 MPa | 165000 – 190000 psi | |
| Tensile Strength, Yield | 1000 – 1210 MPa | 145000 – 175000 psi | |
| Elongation at Break | 3.0 – 10 % | 3.0 – 10 % | |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 125 – 130 GPa | 18100 – 18900 ksi | |
| Poissons Ratio | 0.30 | 0.30 | |
| Machinability | 50 % | 50 % | |
| Shear Modulus | 50.0 GPa | 7250 ksi |
Beryllium Copper 173 Physical Properties
Beryllium copper 173 has many interesting physical properties. One key property is its high strength-to-weight ratio, which allows it to be used in applications that simultaneously need superior strength but also must remain lightweight and durable. Other properties of this alloy include good electrical conductivity, machinability, excellent corrosion resistance due to the beryllium oxide layer on its surface, and a high spring force. These unique characteristics make beryllium copper 173 Alloy a favorite choice for several industries, particularly in applications that require higher temperatures and more aggressive environments.
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Physical Properties 173
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| Density | 0.298 lb/in3 | ||||
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 84.8-131 ksi | ||||
| Yield Tensile Strength | 74.7-105 ksi | ||||
| Shear Strength | 64 ksi | ||||
| Shear Modulus | 6,500 ksi | ||||
| Hardness Rockwell | Brinell | B88-102 | 176-258 | ||||
| Elongation at Break Percentage | 10-20% | ||||
| Modulus of Elasticity | 18,100-18,900 ksi | ||||
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.30 | ||||
| Machinability Percentage | 50% | ||||
| Melting Point | 1,590-1,800 °F | ||||
| Specific Heat | 1.0 x 10^-1 BTU/lb-°F | ||||
| Thermal Conductivity | 729-902 BTU-in/hr-ft^2-°F | ||||
| Electrical Conductivity | 22% IACS | ||||
BeCu 173 Equivalent
Other designations that are equivalent to UNS C17300 copper alloys include:
- UNS C17300
- ASTM B196
- ASTM B197
Beryllium Copper 173 Specifications
| Product Type | Temper Type |
| Beryllium Copper Bar | ASTM B196
Military Mil-C-21657 |
| Beryllium Copper Rod | ASTM B196
Military Mil-C-21657 |
| Beryllium Copper Wire | ASTM B197 |
Corrosion Resistance
BeCu 173 is a highly corrosion-resistant metal alloy used in various industries, from electrical components to firearms and aerospace engineering. Its unique properties, such as its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, make it an ideal material for many applications. Beryllium copper 173 offers high resistance to corrosion both in a dry atmosphere and when exposed to seawater, giving it a great service life even in harsh conditions. It also maintains its strength and formability despite regular exposure to acidic substances, making this alloy the go-to choice for applications dealing with aggressive environments. Thanks to its remarkable durability, beryllium copper 173 remains one of the most sought-after materials for projects where maximum corrosion resistance is of utmost importance.
Heat Resistance
copper 173 is an incredibly durable alloy that is largely used in applications where heat resistance and strength are necessary. Its high degree of hardness and flexibility gives it the unique ability to withstand temperatures up to nearly 800 degrees Celsius. This temperature range makes it suitable for various operations, such as hot stamping and deep drawing of automotive components, as well as for tooling and dies cutting. Beryllium copper 173 is resistant to many other corrosive materials, making it even more versatile for industrial uses. It’s truly an impressive metal that keeps proving its mettle over time.
Heat Treatment & Machining
Heat treatment can be used to increase the strength and toughness of beryllium Cu 173 without significantly reducing its ductility or electrical conductivity properties; this makes it an ideal choice for applications where both strength and electrical performance are required, like circuit boards or motor components. When it comes to machining BeCu, special cutting tools should be used as regular cutting tools tend to wear out quickly when machining this material due to its high hardness level; special lubricants may also need to be used when machining BeCu depending on the application at hand.,
Conclusion
All in all, beryllium copper 173 is one of the most versatile materials available today due to its combination of high strength, hardness, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and more – making it suitable for use in virtually any industry you can think of! From automotive parts and electronic components to medical implants – there’s no shortage of applications where BeCu can provide superior performance over other metallic materials. For engineers looking for a reliable solution that offers excellent performance, whatever their application may be – beryllium copper 173 should not be overlooked!
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