C17200 Beryllium Copper Bar – ASTM B196 Round / Flat Stock for Oil & Gas Tooling (Alloy 25)

C17200 beryllium copper bar is the highest-strength copper‑based wrought alloy format available for engineering environments where steel‑level mechanical performance must coexist with electrical conductivity and non‑magnetic behavior. As a precipitation‑hardenable Cu‑Be alloy (UNS C17200 / Alloy 25 / CuBe2 / CW101C / DIN 2.1247), this beryllium copper bar attains ultimate tensile strength up to 200 ksi (1380 MPa) after age hardening—comparable to heat‑treated alloy steel—while retaining minimum 22% IACS conductivity, permeability below 1.01, and outstanding galling and corrosion resistance. Manufactured to ASTM B196, AMS 4533, SAE J461, and RWMA Class IV specifications, beryllium copper bar is supplied in round, flat, square, and hexagonal profiles from 3 mm up to 140 mm diameter, in tempers from solution‑annealed (A/TB00) through mill‑hardened (AT/TF00) to peak‑aged (HT/TH01). This beryllium copper bar serves three core high‑reliability sectors. In oil & gas, non‑sparking and non‑magnetic properties make it the standard for downhole MWD/LWD housings, drill bit bearings, valve stems, and non‑sparking safety tools where explosive atmospheres demand zero spark risk. In aerospace, AMS 4533‑certified bar is machined into landing gear bushings, instrument housings, and air data system diaphragms for commercial and military aircraft. In automotive & electronics, RWMA Class IV bar serves resistance welding electrodes, EV contactor shafts, plastic injection mold cores, and high‑cycle relay blades where conductivity and wear resistance determine service life. Additional uses include ordnance firing pins, robotic welding fixtures, and cryogenic instrumentation, underscoring the unmatched versatility of beryllium copper bar across mission‑critical industrial platforms.

Standards & Compliance

Chemical Composition (UNS C17200 / Alloy 25)

Mechanical Properties (ASTM B196)

Key supplementary data: Elastic modulus 125–131 GPa; fatigue strength (10⁷ cycles) 40–45 ksi (peak‑aged temper).

Physical Properties

Regional Application Focus

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does beryllium copper bar remain non‑magnetic after heavy machining and cold working?

Yes. C17200 bar exhibits relative magnetic permeability below 1.01 across all tempers, and unlike austenitic stainless steels, it does not develop magnetic response even after extensive cold drawing, turning, or drilling. This is essential for downhole geomagnetic surveying tools, aerospace gyroscopes, and MRI‑adjacent components where magnetic interference must be eliminated. Third‑party permeability certification per ASTM A342 is available on request.

Q2: What heat treatment is required for C17200 beryllium copper bar?

Mill‑hardened AT (TF00) and HT (TH01) tempers require no customer‑side heat treatment—the bar arrives fully aged and ready for machining. For solution‑annealed A (TB00) temper, age hardening is required: solution anneal 790 °C×30‑60 min, water quench, then age at 315 °C±5 °C for 2‑3 hours. The AT temper (up to 140 mm diameter) and HT temper (up to 25 mm diameter) provide the most convenient drop‑in solution for most industrial applications.

Q3: What safety measures apply when machining beryllium copper bar?

Solid C17200 bar poses no inhalation hazard under normal machining (turning, drilling, milling) when using flood coolant. However, dry grinding, abrasive cutting, or welding that generates airborne dust or fume requires HEPA‑filtered local exhaust ventilation, P100 respirators, and wet cleanup (never dry sweeping). Compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1024 (beryllium standard) is mandatory for processes generating airborne particles. A current Safety Data Sheet is provided with each shipment.