C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Rod
Grade: UNS C17200 / CuBe2 / Alloy 25 / CDA 172
Standards: ASTM B196, AMS 4650, SAE J461, RWMA Class 4
Specifications:
- Hexagonal Bar: Across Flats (A/F) 4mm - 80mm
- Square Bar: 4mm x 4mm - 100mm x 100mm
Length: 1000mm - 3000mm or Precision Custom Cut
Origin: China (Factory Direct Supply)
Manufacturing Processes: Hot Extrusion, Cold Drawing, Precision Heat Treatment (TF00/TH04)
Surface Finish: Cleaned, Polished, Precision Drawn
Applications: Non-sparking safety tools, heavy-duty nuts, bolts, valve shafts, oil & gas drilling components, and structural aerospace fasteners.
Description
C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Rod — High Conductivity Alloy for Welding, Molding & Power Applications
C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Rod is a copper alloy with 0.4 to 0.7% Beryllium and 2.4 to 2.7% Cobalt which is precipitation-hardened. C17500 is a RWMA Class 3 material, as defined by ASTM B441 and SAE J461. Electrical conductivity 45-60% IACS Tensile strength up to 970 MPa. It resolves the longstanding trade-off between conductivity and structural integrity. This alloy is available in round bar and is offered via vertically integrated manufacturing from vacuum melting to final inspection. We are an ISO 9001 certified company and provide comprehensive MTC documentation. Dongguan Jiaye Dingsheng Precision Casting&Forging Co., Ltd. was established in 1997.
What Makes C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Different?
Unlike normal brass or bronze, C17500 has a high thermal diffusivity and a modest load-bearing strength. The presence of Cobalt (2.4-2.7%) as a grain refiner during heat treatment and it also stabilises the alloy microstructure at high temperature.
This makes it far more stable against thermal cycling than binary alloys of copper and beryllium. You receive constant performance in applications that might otherwise induce a fatigue failure via repetitive heating and cooling.
This is not the same as C17200. The C17200 alloy is designed for maximal hardness (up to HRC 45) but has only around 20% IACS conductivity. C17500 sacrifices part of the hardness for substantially better conductivity – up to 60% IACS – making it the perfect option when heat dissipation is as important as strength.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS Grade | C17500 |
| Beryllium Content | 0.4 – 0.7% |
| Cobalt Content | 2.4 – 2.7% |
| Electrical Conductivity | 45 – 60% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 210 – 250 W/m·K |
| Tensile Strength | 690 – 970 MPa |
| Hardness | HRB 90–100 / HRC 20–30 |
| Temper Conditions | TF00 (AT) / TH04 (HT) |
| Standards | ASTM B441, SAE J461, RWMA Class 3 |
| Available Forms | Round Bar |
| Diameter Range | Customizable |
| Length | 1000mm – 3000mm or custom cut |
Key Material Properties
The precipitation-hardened microstructure of this alloy offers a unique combination of properties not seen in traditional copper grades.
Electrical & Thermal Performance: It conducts heat quickly at 45–60% IACS, a significant property in resistance welding electrodes and mould cores where heat accumulation leads to part flaws or tool wear.
Mechanical Stability: The rod has a tensile strength of 690–970 MPa and can therefore withstand mechanical load without deformation even during repeated stress cycles. It is also resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, which is important in sealed or pressurised systems.
Temperature Resistance: Cobalt phase pin grain boundaries in high temperature operation. This retains hardness and conductivity while other alloys begin to weaken.
Application Scenarios
C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Rod is employed in all three of the most demanded manufacturing industry sectors:
Resistance Welding: Industry standard for welding electrodes and electrode holders for spot welding stainless steel and high resistance alloys. Thermal conductivity inhibits electrode weakening during high frequency cycling.
Plastic Injection Moulding: This alloy core pins and mould inserts have good heat absorption of molten plastic. This decreases cycle times, minimises part warpage and increases tool life over ordinary tool steels.
Power Electronics & Switchgear: In heavy duty connections and electrical switchgear the rod is resistant to softening at high current densities. Its steady conductivity profile is a direct outcome of long-term durability in demanding B2B infrastructure situations.
Quality Control Process
Traceable, documented quality assurance is required for the purchase of this alloy. We have a three-step method. Incoming materials, in-process monitoring and final inspection.
Each cargo is checked:
- OES Chemical Analysis – guaranties accurate Beryllium and Cobalt ratios
- Ultrasonic Testing (NDT) – identifies interior porosity or inclusions
- Eddy Current Conductivity Testing – Confirms IACS compliance for electrical uses
- Hardness & Tensile Testing — ASTM E8/E18
- Dimensional Inspection – with micrometres for Swiss machining compatibility
A comprehensive Mill Test Certificate (MTC) is provided with each batch including chemical composition, hardness and conductivity data. RoHS and REACH Compliance documents available upon request.
Certificate
Customization & Supply Options
Diameter, length, temper condition (TF00 or TH04) and surface finish may be specified. Most rods are sent pre-age hardened and ready for immediate machining or assembly – no heat treating needed by you.
Items in stock ship in 3-5 days. Custom orders will be quoted within 24 hours. Buyers in Europe, North America and South-east Asia may get sea freight, air cargo and comprehensive customs paperwork.
FAQ
Q1: How much difference is there in performance between C17500 and C17200?
A1: C17500 is optimized for better heat dissipation. C17200 is optimized for improved hardness in high-strength structural applications.
Q2: Can C17500 be machined?
A2: Yes, solid rods are safe to process. Dust control measures such as wet machining and ventilation are required during operation.
Q3: What are the functions of cobalt elements?
A3: Cobalt refines the grain structure and improves thermal stability, increasing the alloy's resistance to thermal cycle fatigue.
Q4: Do we need further heat treatment after delivery?
A4: TF00 and TH04 temper items are fully aged for direct machining and assembly.
Q5: How corrosion resistant is the material?
A5: It can adapt to seawater and mild acid environments, but needs protection in strongly oxidizing media.
Q6: What documentation is available for qualification?
A6: Full MTC test results are provided. RoHS and REACH compliance documentation is available on request.
Contact Us
Send your detailed size parameters and application requirements of C17500 Beryllium Cobalt Copper Rod to js01@jstongcai.com.cn, and our team will offer professional quotations and technical support within 24 hours.
