C17200 Beryllium Copper Blanks & Pre-Machined Stock

C17200 is a precipitation-hardening copper-beryllium alloy used for components that require substantially higher strength, hardness, fatigue resistance and dimensional stability than conventional copper alloys.

Cymber Metal supplies C17200 beryllium copper blanks as cut-to-size starting material for customers performing downstream CNC turning, milling, drilling, grinding or other precision machining operations.

Unlike full-length rod stock, a blank is prepared closer to the customer’s required machining envelope. The diameter, length, surface condition, heat-treatment state and machining allowance can be selected to reduce material waste, shorten machining time and simplify production planning.

Why Choose Pre-Machined Beryllium Copper Blanks?

Purchasing a pre-sized or rough-machined blank can provide several advantages over machining directly from full-length stock:

• Reduced raw-material waste
• Lower cutting and rough-machining time
• Defined machining allowance for final finishing
• Easier handling of large or heavy sections
• Heat-treatment condition selected for the downstream process
• Optional removal of surface scale and decarburized or oxidized layers
• Lot traceability and inspection documents according to the order
• Near-net dimensions available for complex custom components
• More predictable material consumption and machining cost

Available Supply Conditions

As-Forged or As-Extruded Stock

Large-section blanks may be supplied in an as-forged or as-extruded condition with sufficient machining allowance. This option is appropriate when the customer performs the subsequent heat treatment and machining.

Saw-Cut Blanks

Round stock can be cut into individual cylindrical blanks according to the required length. Cut-face allowance can be added for facing and final dimensional finishing.

Peeled or Rough-Turned Blanks

The original surface can be removed by peeling or rough turning. This provides a cleaner and more consistent starting diameter while retaining allowance for the customer’s final machining.

Rough-Milled Blocks

Where square or rectangular blanks are available, the faces can be rough-milled to establish reference surfaces and reduce downstream material removal.

Near-Net-Shape Blanks

Custom blanks can be prepared closer to the final component envelope. Near-net sizing is subject to drawing review, production quantity, heat-treatment sequence and the required final tolerances.

Typical Size Range

Round Blank Diameter:
20 mm to 300 mm

Cut Length:
100 mm to 2000 mm

Shorter cut pieces may be available on request.

Larger sections, forged shapes and non-standard dimensions are subject to technical review. Diameter, length, heat-treatment condition and required properties must be evaluated together, especially for heavy cross-sections.

Material Standards

The applicable standard depends on the source material and production route.

ASTM B196/B196M may apply when the blank is produced from C17200 rod or bar.

ASTM B570 may apply when C17200 material is supplied as a forging or extrusion.

ASTM B194/B194M may apply when a rectangular or plate-type blank is produced from plate, sheet, strip or rolled-bar material.

A custom pre-machined blank is not controlled by its material standard alone. Its dimensions, machining allowance, surface condition, heat-treatment state and acceptance criteria must also be defined by the approved drawing, purchase specification and inspection plan.

C17200 Chemical Composition

Beryllium (Be):
1.80–2.00%

Cobalt + Nickel (Co + Ni):
0.20% minimum

Cobalt + Nickel + Iron (Co + Ni + Fe):
0.60% maximum

Copper (Cu):
Balance

The applicable standard edition, material certificate and purchase specification shall govern the final chemical requirements.

Heat-Treatment Conditions

C17200 blanks do not all need to be supplied in the same heat-treatment condition.

Solution-Treated Condition

Solution-treated material may be selected when the customer needs to perform further forming, substantial machining or subsequent precipitation aging.

Cold-Worked Condition

Cold-worked conditions may be used where a particular combination of strength, dimensional response and subsequent aging behavior is required.

Precipitation-Hardened Condition

Age-hardened blanks can be supplied when the customer requires developed strength and hardness before final machining. The machining method, tool selection and final tolerance must be suitable for the hardened condition.

Mill-Hardened or Pre-Hardened Condition

Where commercially available, mill-hardened material may reduce the need for customer heat treatment. The actual temper and guaranteed properties must be confirmed in the quotation and material certificate.

The correct condition depends on the final component, amount of material removal, dimensional tolerance and whether subsequent heat treatment is planned.

Mechanical and Electrical Performance

In selected precipitation-hardened conditions and suitable section sizes, C17200 can achieve tensile strength of 1200 MPa or above and yield strength of 1000 MPa or above.

These figures are condition-dependent reference values. They are not unconditional guarantees for every blank diameter, length or production route.

Actual properties depend on:

• Source material form
• Blank diameter and section size
• Temper and cold-work level
• Solution-treatment and aging cycle
• Sampling location and test direction
• Applicable material standard
• Agreed test method and acceptance criteria

Required tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness and electrical conductivity must be stated in the inquiry and confirmed in the quotation and material test certificate.

C17200 provides useful electrical and thermal conductivity for a high-strength copper alloy, but its conductivity is normally lower than that of C17500 and C17510.

The 45–60% IACS range associated with certain high-conductivity copper-beryllium grades must not be presented as a general C17200 property.

C17200 or C17500/C17510?

C17200 is normally selected when strength, hardness, fatigue resistance and wear resistance are the primary requirements.

C17500 and C17510 may be considered when higher electrical or thermal conductivity is more important than maximum strength.

C17500 and C17510 are separate alloys with different compositions, material standards, temper designations and property ranges. They should be quoted as alternative grades rather than described as direct C17200 equivalents.

Production Route

The production route is selected according to the required alloy, blank dimensions, quantity, heat-treatment condition and inspection requirements.

1. Certified Material Selection

Suitable C17200 rod, bar, forging, extrusion or plate stock is selected according to the required blank geometry and applicable material specification.

2. Forging or Extrusion

Large or heavy-section stock may be produced by forging or extrusion. The process route and reduction ratio are selected according to the required section and final properties.

3. Heat Treatment

Solution treatment, quenching and precipitation aging are performed when required by the specified material condition. Heavy sections require an appropriate time-and-temperature cycle to develop consistent properties through the section.

4. Cutting and Sizing

Material is saw-cut or otherwise separated into the required blank lengths. Cutting allowance is included where the customer needs to face both ends during final machining.

5. Rough Machining

Peeling, rough turning, milling or grinding can be used to remove surface scale and prepare a more consistent machining envelope.

6. Dimensional Verification

The diameter, length, width, thickness and machining allowance are checked according to the agreed drawing or order specification.

7. Cleaning and Protection

Blanks are cleaned and protected against oxidation, contamination and handling damage during storage and international transportation.

Quality and Inspection Options

The inspection scope is established according to the material standard, component criticality and customer purchase specification.

Available controls include:

• Heat and lot traceability
• Material test certificates
• Heat-treatment records
• Chemical composition verification by heat or lot
• Hardness and electrical conductivity testing
• Mechanical testing according to the agreed sampling plan
• Diameter, length, width and thickness inspection
• Machining-allowance verification
• Visual surface inspection
• Ultrasonic examination for suitable section sizes and geometries
• Dimensional reports using micrometers, calipers, CMM equipment or other agreed instruments
• SGS, BV, TÜV or other third-party inspection by arrangement

Chemical analysis and destructive mechanical testing are normally performed by heat, production lot or representative test sample rather than on every individual blank.

Ultrasonic testing requires an agreed procedure, test surface, reference standard and acceptance level. It should not be described as automatically included with every order.

Typical Applications

C17200 blanks are used as starting material for machining:

• Aerospace structural and mechanical components where C17200 is specified
• Oil and gas drilling and downhole equipment
• Large bushings and bearing sleeves
• Rings, spacer rings and retaining components
• Precision mold inserts and tooling components
• High-load wear parts
• Electrical contacts and current-carrying components
• Automotive and industrial sensor parts
• Precision instruments and production equipment
• Medical-equipment components manufactured to approved requirements
• Defense-related components manufactured to approved specifications
• Low-sparking tools and equipment components subject to application-specific risk assessment

Machining and Beryllium Safety

Solid C17200 blanks are supplied as industrial metal products.

Machin

ing, grinding, welding or thermal processing can generate beryllium-containing dust, mist or fumes. These operations require suitable engineering controls, local exhaust ventilation, occupational exposure management, appropriate personal protective equipment and compliant waste-handling procedures.

Customers should review the applicable safety data sheet and follow local occupational health and environmental regulations before processing the material.

Request a Quotation

For an accurate quotation, please provide:

• Alloy grade
• Required blank shape
• Diameter, width or thickness
• Cut length
• Quantity
• Required heat-treatment condition
• Machining allowance
• Final component drawing where available
• Surface-condition requirement
• Required mechanical properties, hardness or conductivity
• Material certification requirements
• Ultrasonic or third-party inspection requirements
• Delivery destination

Contact Cymber Metal for C17200 beryllium copper round blanks, forged blanks, cut-to-size machining stock and custom pre-machined material.