There is a distinction between processing beryllium copper and casting beryllium copper. Commonly used casting beryllium copper alloys include Cu-2Be-0.5Co-0.3Si, Cu-2.6Be-0.5Co-0.3Si, Cu-0.5Be-2.5Co, among others. The beryllium content in processed beryllium copper is kept below 2%. Domestic beryllium copper alloys may contain 0.3% nickel or 0.3% cobalt.
Commonly used processed beryllium copper alloys include Cu-2Be-0.3Ni, Cu-1.9Be-0.3Ni-0.2Ti, and others. Beryllium copper is a heat-treatable strengthening alloy.
Processed beryllium copper is primarily used for various high-performance elastic elements, especially for components requiring good conductivity, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, cold resistance, non-magnetic properties, such as diaphragms, membranes, bellows, microswitches, and more. On the other hand, casting beryllium copper is utilized in explosion-proof tools, various molds, bearings, bushings, gears, electrodes, and more.
The oxide and dust of beryllium are harmful to the human body, so precautions should be taken during production and use.
Beryllium copper is an alloy with excellent comprehensive mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. After quenching and tempering, it exhibits high strength, elasticity, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, and heat resistance. Additionally, beryllium copper possesses high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, cold resistance, and non-magnetism. It is non-sparking upon impact, easy to weld and braze, and exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in the atmosphere, fresh water, and seawater.
Beryllium copper alloys have various applications, including the production of molds, welding electrode materials, die-casting machines, injection molding machine dies, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant components.
The conventional parameters of beryllium copper are as follows:
- Density: 8.3 g/cm3
- Hardness before quenching: 200-250 HV
- Hardness after quenching: ≥ 36-42 HRC
- Quenching temperature: 315°C ≈ 600°F
- Quenching time: 2 hours
- Softening temperature: 930°C
- Hardness after softening: 135±35 HV
- Tensile strength: ≥ 1000 MPa
- Yield strength (0.2%): 1035 MPa
- Modulus of elasticity (GPa): 128
- Electrical conductivity: ≥ 18% IACS
- Thermal conductivity: ≥ 105 W/m.k at 20°C
Beryllium copper alloys are widely used in manufacturing various mold inserts, precision molds, welding electrode materials, die-casting machines, injection molding machine dies, and more.