Beryllium copper alloys combine excellent mechanical, physical, chemical properties, and corrosion resistance. Through heat treatment (solution treatment and aging treatment), they exhibit high strength limits, elastic limits, yield limits, and fatigue limits comparable to special steels. They also offer high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, hardness, and wear resistance, along with good castability and non-magnetic properties. These alloys find wide applications in industries such as mechanical, electronic, and mold manufacturing.
Beryllium copper alloys are classified based on the beryllium content into high-strength beryllium copper (C17200) and medium beryllium copper (C17000).
Characteristics of C17200 High-Strength Beryllium Copper:
High thermal conductivity: 2-3 times higher than steel, providing efficient cooling, shortening injection molding cycle times, enhancing heat dissipation, reducing product shrinkage, controlling post-molding shrinkage rates, improving dimensional stability, and increasing productivity.
High corrosion resistance: Suitable for molds used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products.
High hardness, wear resistance, and toughness: When used as inserts with tool steel and aluminum, it enhances mold performance and extends mold lifespan.
Excellent polishing properties: Capable of producing mirror-like surfaces and intricate patterns.
Good anti-adhesion properties: Easily weldable with other metals, suitable for machining without additional heat treatment.
Characteristics of C17000 Medium Beryllium Copper:
High thermal conductivity.
Wear-resistant, explosion-resistant, crack-resistant properties maintained even at high temperatures.
Better toughness compared to C17200.
Main Applications:
Blow molds: Nozzles, cutters, mold cavities.
Injection molds: Cores, mold cavities, ejector pins, hot runner components, mold inserts.
Die-casting molds, casting molds, extrusion molds, punches.
Beryllium copper alloys, processed through professional vacuum arc degassing techniques, effectively eliminate defects such as pores and blowholes in products.
Comprehensive testing process management, hardness testing, electrical and thermal conductivity testing are implemented for beryllium copper alloys.
Proper forging of beryllium copper results in denser and more uniform structures, excellent thermal conductivity, good toughness, and wear resistance, outperforming cast and poured beryllium copper in performance.
Usage Tips:
Machining: Beryllium copper machining should be conducted in well-ventilated environments to prevent the generation of high-temperature beryllium copper dust. For drilling and tapping operations, attention should be paid to chip evacuation and tool wear. Regular tool sharpening, moderate cutting depths, moderate speeds, and the use of lubricants or coolants are recommended to prevent overheating and annealing.
*Electro-erosion machining: Due to its excellent thermal conductivity, machining speeds should be slightly slower than with steel, and proper ventilation systems should be employed to avoid excessive smoke generation.