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.
