C17200 beryllium copper rod delivers steel-like strength (up to 200 ksi / 1380 MPa) within a copper-based alloy while maintaining exceptional electrical conductivity (22% IACS min.), complete non-magnetic behavior (permeability <1.01), and outstanding galling and corrosion resistance. Manufactured under ASTM B196/B196M, AMS 4533, SAE J461, and RWMA Class IV specifications, this beryllium copper rod is available in diameters from 3 mm up to 140 mm (0.125″ to 5.5″) in solution-annealed (TB00/A), hard drawn (TD04/H), mill-hardened (TF00/AT), and peak-aged (TH04/HT) tempers. In oil & gas environments, this beryllium copper rod serves downhole MWD/LWD pressure housings, drill bit bearings, valve stems, and non-sparking safety tool blanks where H₂S-resistant performance under NACE MR0175 compliance is mandatory. For aerospace applications, AMS 4533-certified beryllium copper rod is machined into landing gear bushings, instrument enclosures, and air data system diaphragms for commercial and miltary aircraft. Within automotive and electrical sectors, RWMA Class IV beryllium copper rod forms resistance welding electrodes, plastic injection mold cores, high-current relay shafts, and EV contactor components where thermal conductivity (105–135 W/m·K) ensures uniform heat dissipation and extended service cycles. Additional deployment includes ordnance firing pins, robotic welding fixtures, marine propeller shafts, and cryogenic instrumentation for space launch systems, confirming the unmatched versatility of beryllium copper rod across mission-critical global platforms.
Chemical Composition (UNS C17200 / CuBe2 / Alloy 25)
| Element | Weight (%) | Specification Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beryllium (Be) | 1.80 – 2.00 | Primary age‑hardening element; gamma‑phase precipitation generates up to 200 ksi tensile strength |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.20 min – 0.30 max | Grain refiner; controls beryllide particle size during aging |
| Nickel + Cobalt (Ni+Co) | ≥0.20 | Minimum content ensures consistent age‑hardening kinetics |
| Nickel + Cobalt + Iron (Ni+Co+Fe) | ≤0.60 | Upper bound restricts intermetallic formation that reduces ductility |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤0.01 (C17200, RoHS compliant); 0.20–0.60 (C17300 leaded variant) | Ultra‑low lead composition for RoHS‑compliant markets |
| Copper (Cu) | Remainder (≥97.5% min) | High‑purity matrix provides 22–28% IACS baseline conductivity |
Mechanical Properties (ASTM B196)
| Temper Designation | Diameter or Cross‑Section | Tensile Strength (ksi / MPa) | Yield Strength 0.2% (ksi / MPa) | Hardness | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB00 (A) — Solution Annealed | All sizes | 60–85 / 414–586 | 20 min / 138 min | B45–85 | ≥20 |
| TD04 (H) — Hard Drawn | Up to 3/8″ / 9.5 mm incl. | 90–130 / 620–896 | 75 / 517 | B88–103 | 8 |
| TD04 (H) — Hard Drawn | Over 3/8″ to 1″ / 9.5–25 mm | 90–125 / 620–862 | 75 / 517 | B88–102 | 8 |
| TD04 (H) — Hard Drawn | Over 1″ to 3″ / 25–76 mm | 85–120 / 586–827 | 75 / 517 | B88–101 | 8 |
| TF00 (AT) — Mill‑Hardened (Aged) | Up to 3″ / 76 mm incl. | 150–190 / 1034–1310 | 125 / 862 | C32–39 | 4 |
| TH04 (HT) — Peak Aged | Up to 3/8″ / 9.5 mm incl. | 170–210 / 1172–1448 | 145 / 1000 | C35–41 | 4 |
| TH04 (HT) — Peak Aged | Over 3/8″ to 1″ / 9.5–25 mm | 170–210 / 1172–1448 | 145 / 1000 | C35–41 | 2 |
| TH04 (HT) — Peak Aged | Over 1″ to 3″ / 25–76 mm | 165–200 / 1138–1379 | 135 / 931 | C34–39 | 2 |
Key supplementary data: Elastic modulus 125–131 GPa; fatigue strength (10⁷ cycles) 40–45 ksi; machinability rating ~20% of C36000 free‑cutting brass.
Physical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.25–8.36 g/cm³ | 0.298–0.302 lb/in³ | Age‑hardened (~4% increase vs. solution‑annealed) |
| Melting Range | 870–980 °C | 1598–1796 °F | Solidus–liquidus |
| Electrical Conductivity | 22–28% IACS | 0.129 MS/cm at 20°C | Minimum 22% in peak‑aged HT/TH04 temper |
| Electrical Resistivity | 6.1–7.8 μΩ·cm | 37–47 Ω·cmil/ft | Corresponding to conductivity range |
| Thermal Conductivity | 105–135 W/m·K | 62–78 BTU/(ft·hr·°F) | @ 20°C aged condition |
| CTE (20–200°C) | 16.7–17.8 × 10⁻⁶ /°C | 9.9 × 10⁻⁶ /°F (68–572°F) | Low hysteresis for thermal cycling stability |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.42 kJ/kg·K | 0.10 BTU/lb·°F | @ 20°C |
| Magnetic Permeability (µᵣ) | <1.01 | — | Non‑magnetic across all tempers |
Regional Application Focus
| Region | Key Industries | Application Drivers for Beryllium Copper Rod |
|---|---|---|
| North America & Europe | Aerospace, EV manufacturing, defense | AMS 4533 certification for landing gear bushings and instrument housings; RWMA Class IV resistance welding electrodes; IATF 16949 compliance for EV battery contactor shafts |
| Middle East & Africa | Oil & gas, petrochemical, mining | Downhole MWD/LWD pressure housings, drill bit bearings, non-sparking safety tools; NACE MR0175 sour‑gas compliance for H₂S environments |
| South & Southeast Asia | Industrial tooling, automotive connectors, electronics | Plastic injection mold cores for high‑volume consumer goods; JNPT port logistics (India) and ASEAN tariff benefits; high‑cycle relay blades |
| South America | Mining, heavy equipment, oil & gas | Wear plates and non‑sparking pump shafts for acidic mine water (pH 2–4); Mercosur origin documentation for intra‑bloc tariff reduction |
| Global Maritime | Marine propulsion, offshore platforms | Propeller shaft bushings, valve stems, subsea actuator rods; zero hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility； ABS/DNV certifications available |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the key differences between TF00 (AT), TH04 (HT), and TB00 (A) tempers for beryllium copper rod?
Mill‑hardened TF00 (AT) temper is fully aged at the mill and requires no customer‑side heat treatment—it arrives ready for immediate machining and use, offering 150–190 ksi tensile strength (up to 3″ diameter). TH04 (HT) temper is peak‑aged after cold work, delivering the highest strength (170–210 ksi) but is limited to diameters up to 1″ before property gradients emerge. TB00 (A) temper is solution‑annealed and unaged; it requires customer‑performed age hardening (315°C±5°C for 2‑3 hours) after final machining to achieve full strength. For most industrial applications, TF00 (AT) provides the best balance of strength and convenience without requiring in‑house aging furnaces.
Q2: Does beryllium copper rod remain non‑magnetic after turning, drilling, or heavy machining?
Yes. C17200 beryllium copper rod exhibits relative magnetic permeability below 1.01 (typically 1.003) across all tempers. Unlike austenitic stainless steels (300‑series), which can develop weak magnetism after cold working due to strain‑induced martensitic transformation, copper‑beryllium retains its non‑magnetic behavior regardless of machining or cold reduction percentage. This property is critical for downhole directional drilling instruments (geomagnetic surveying), aerospace gyroscopes, MRI‑adjacent components, and naval degaussing systems. Third‑party magnetic permeability certification per ASTM A342 is available upon request.
Q3: Does C17200 beryllium copper rod meet RoHS and REACH for European import?
Yes, with specific REACH SVHC considerations. C17200 beryllium copper rod is fully RoHS‑compliant (Pb ≤ 0.01%)—the leaded C17300 variant does not meet RoHS. Regarding REACH (EC 1907/2006), beryllium is listed as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) for carcinogenicity (H350i). However, REACH Article 33 disclosure (SVHC > 0.1% w/w) applies to finished articles supplied to EU customers, not to raw material semi‑finished products (rod stock). A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for copper‑beryllium alloy is provided with each EU‑bound shipment. For finished parts machined from C17200 rod and supplied to EU consumers, additional Article 33 communication may be required under your own REACH obligations. European purchasers should consult their REACH responsible person for downstream compliance.
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For mill test certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1 / 3.2), sample quality approvals (PPAP/FAIR), AMS 4533 batch traceability, NACE MR0175 sour‑gas qualification, or custom rod diameters / lengths / tempers, please contact us with your detailed requirements.