Copper and copper alloys · Alloy 10 / C17500
Alloy 10 (UNS C17500): Engineering Reference Guide for Beryllium Copper
Engineering and Technical Characteristics of Alloy 10 (UNS C17500)
| Available supply forms from EV Group China | International Identification | Material Classification | ASTM | ASME | W.Nr. | EN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available supply forms from EV Group China | International Identification | Material Classification | B441, B870 | SB441, SB870 | 2.1285 | CW104C, CuCo2Be |
| Round bar, wire, strip, precision tubes, rods (square, rectangular and hexagonal cross-section), thick plates. | Alloy 10, UNS C17500, CDA 175 | Low-alloy copper alloy (beryllium copper) |
UNS C17500 and C17510 alloys belong to the class of precipitation-hardening copper-based materials, developed to achieve an optimal balance between electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as mechanical strength, surpassing standard copper alloys. The fundamental difference between them lies in the alloying element: Alloy 10 (UNS C17500) uses cobalt (Co) in a concentration of 2.40–2.70%, whereas C17510 uses nickel (Ni) in the range of 1.40–2.20%. Despite this microstructural difference, both alloys demonstrate comparable performance characteristics in identical industrial conditions.
Standardized Chemical Composition of UNS C17500, %
| Al | <0.2 |
|---|---|
| Be | 0.4-0.7 |
| Co | 2.4-2.7 |
| Fe | <0.1 |
| Si | <0.2 |
| Cu | Remainder |
Mechanical Properties of Alloy C17500 according to ASTM B441
| Minimum values for bars and wire | Delivery condition (heat treatment) | Code | TB00 | TD04 | TF00 | TH04 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum values for bars and wire | Delivery condition (heat treatment) | Form | A (Annealed) | H (Strain Hardened) | AT (Solution Treated and Aged) | HT (Strain Hardened, Solution Treated and Aged) |
| Minimum values for bars and wire | Tensile Strength, MPa | 240-380 | 450-550 | 690-895 | 780-965 | |
| Minimum values for bars and wire | Rockwell Hardness | Scale B | 95 | 20 | 23 | 28 |
Physical Properties and Constants of Alloy 10 Material
| Melting Temperature, °F | Density, lbs/in³ (at 68°F) | Specific Gravity, g/cm³ | Electrical Conductivity, % IACS (at 68°F) | Thermal Conductivity, BTU/(ft·hr·°F) (at 68°F) | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (68–392 °F), 10⁻⁶/°F | Specific Heat, BTU/(lb·°F) (at 68°F) | Modulus of Elasticity (Tension), ksi | Shear Modulus, ksi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 0.311 | 8.62 | 45 | 120 | 9.8 | 0.1 | 19000 | 7500 |
Alloy 10, also known as CuCo2Be, is a precipitation-hardening alloy technologically optimized for applications requiring a synergy of high thermal and electrical conductivity while maintaining moderate strength and hardness. These properties are achieved through precise beryllium alloying and subsequent heat treatment, which is critically important for the production of highly stressed components.
Key Industrial Applications of Alloy 10
EV Group China supplies Alloy 10 in various semi-finished forms, produced by hot and cold plastic deformation methods, for the manufacture of critically important components in the following industries:
- Power engineering and switchgear: manufacturing of contacts, fuse clips, levers, and jumpers for high-voltage circuit breakers, as well as parts for electric motors requiring high conductivity and wear resistance.
- Fasteners for aggressive environments: production of wear-resistant bolts, studs, lock washers, and pins used in conditions of elevated temperatures and corrosive exposure.
- Components for hydraulic systems and instrumentation: manufacturing of valve seats, guide bushings, pump shafts, as well as elastic elements such as bellows compensators and Bourdon tubes for high-precision pressure gauges.