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).
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.
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.
