berylliumcopper

Beryllium copper, or copper-beryllium, is a family of copper alloys that use beryllium as the principal alloying element. Most grades contain about 0.4–3% beryllium by weight, with the remainder copper; small additions of nickel, cobalt, silicon, or other elements may be used to tailor properties. These alloys are precipitation-hardened, gaining much of their strength through aging heat treatment after solution annealing.

The alloys are noted for a high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent fatigue resistance, non-magnetic behavior, and good spring properties. Electrical conductivity is lower than that of pure copper, typically a fraction of IACS depending on the grade, but some versions retain useful conductivity for electrical applications. BeCu also offers good wear resistance and a relatively high elastic modulus, making it suitable for precision mechanical parts.

Manufacturing and processing: BeCu is produced by incorporating beryllium into copper and forming the material by casting or wrought processing. Components are solution heat treated and aged to the desired temper. Depending on the grade, treatments produce a range of hardness and tensile strength levels.

Health and safety: Beryllium and its compounds are toxic, and machining BeCu can release hazardous dust or fumes. Proper ventilation, dust control, and respiratory protection are required, along with appropriate handling and waste disposal.

Applications: BeCu is used where high strength, hardness, wear resistance, and non-sparking properties are important—springs, electrical contacts and connectors, gears and valve seats, and non-sparking tools for use in hazardous environments.