Copper-beryllium
alloys offer a combination of mechanical and electrical properties
which is
unique for copper alloys. The mechanical strength achieved after heat
treatment
ranks highest among all copper alloy materials and is combined with an
electrical conductivity which outperforms that of bronzes. In order to
best
meet the different needs of the electrical engineering, connector and
watch industries,
a full range of copper-beryllium alloys is rolled at Lamineries
MATTHEY. In
extreme cases, when the spring properties are critical even at high
temperatures, nickel-beryllium is used as the solution of choice.
This alloy which contains approximatively 2 % of beryllium and achieves
the highest mechanical strength and hardness after heat treatment of
all copper
beryllium alloys. In soft or slightly re-rolled condition, it exhibits
excellent bending behaviour. It distinguishes itself by high fatigue
strength,
outstanding relaxation resistance at elevated temperatures and a unique
combination of high strength and excellent electrical conductivity.
Lamineries
MATTHEY also supply mill hardened CuBe2 alloys, the so-called alloy
190. When
using this alloy, heat treatment at the customer is no longer
necessary,
preventing also the distorsion of the finished product. Alloy 190
provides
outstanding bending behaviour, which however varies according to the
different
tempers.
Alloy M25:
It is
identical to a version of lead-containing alloy 25 and achieves the
same
exceptional strength after hardening. This alloy is supplied as wires
and rods
which are mainly employed for machined products. Its low lead content
improves
its machinability (shorter chips and reduced wear of tools). The alloy
is
normally hardened after machining. It can however be soft-annealed
again so
that it can be crimped and electroplated. This alloy distinguishes by
high
endurance limit, outstanding relaxation resistance at exposure to heat
and a
unique strength-conductivity ratio.
Compared to alloy 25 and 190 it contains only a low beryllium content.
Thus, it shows a medium mechanical strength while electric conductivity
is
high. The alloy 3 can be hardened and provides outstanding bending
behaviour in
unhardened condition. Factory-annealing is also possible for alloy 3,
thereby
slightly reducing the formability, whilst heat treatment of the
finished
products is not necessary.
Copper alloy with low beryllium
content. It contains only few alloy elements: Beryllium and cobalt.
Alloy 174
combines outstanding electric conductivity with high mechanical
strength
(typical values: 50% et 750N/mm2
Alloy 174 is supplied hardened so that a later heat treatment of the
products
is not necessary. This reduces production costs and prevents the
deformation of
the finished products. Although alloy 174 is supplied in hardened
condition, it
shows excellent bending behaviour. This alloy distinguishes by
excellent
bending behaviour in connection with mechanical strength and
conductivity,
which outperforms any other copper alloy of this price level.
This alloy
is an innovation of Brush Wellman. It is supplied hardened and offers
very high
mechanical strength and in relation to this strength exceptionally high
electric conductivity.
Alloy 360
is a Nickel alloy containing approximatively 2 % of beryllium. It is
used for
all applications that require good elastical properties at elevated
temperatures. Mechanical strength is rather high and when hardened is
even
higher than that of alloy 25.
See the brochures "Guide to Copper Beryllium" or the "Design Guide".
See also dimensional tolerances and material safety datasheet (MSDS) :
| Description | Technical file |
| CuBe2Pb - CuBe2Pb Alloy M25 / C17300 / CW102C |  Alloy_M25_B.pdf |
| CuBe2Pb All. M25 hardened / C17300 / CW102C | Alloy_M25_B.pdf |
| CuBe2 - Alliage 25 / C17200 / CW101C | Alloy_25_B.pdf |
See also dimensional tolerances and material safety datasheet (MSDS) :