CuBe2
CW101CTHE highest-strength copper alloy — UTS up to 1400 MPa (200 ksi), approaching steel strength with copper's conductivity (22% IACS aged). Age-hardenable: solution treat 780-800°C, age 315-340°C → HRC 38-45. Non-sparking, non-magnetic. Trade names: Alloy 25 (Materion), BeCu25 (NGK). CAUTION: Be dust is carcinogenic — machining requires extraction. Used for non-sparking tools, mold inserts, springs, connectors, and resistance welding electrodes.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 | UNS | USA | UNS C17200 | C17200 | REF |
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | CuBe2 / CW101C / 2.1247 | CW101C | 100% |
| 🇯🇵 | JIS | Japan | C1720 | — | 100% |
Sources: ASTM B196, EN 12163, JIS H3270
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: CuBe2 (EN) (EN 12163) vs CuBe2 / CW101C / 2.1247 (EN) (EN 12163)
| Element | CuBe2 (EN) | CuBe2 / CW101C / 2.1247 (EN) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ni | 0–0.3% | 0–0.3% | OK |
| Cu | — | — | — |
| Co | 0–0.3% | 0–0.3% | OK |
| Be | 1.8–2.1% | 1.8–2.1% | OK |
| Fe | — | — | — |
Mechanical properties
Solution annealed
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 440–540 | MPa |
| Elongation | 25–45 | % |
Aged TH04
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1200–1400 | MPa |
| Hardness HRC | 38–45 | HRC |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 131 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 8.26 | g/cm3 |
Solution annealed
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 440–590 | MPa |
| Elongation A | 20–40 | % |
Precipitation hardened
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1100–1400 | MPa |
| Yield Strength Rp0.2 | 900–1200 | MPa |
| Hardness HRC | 36–42 | HRC |
| Elongation A | 1–5 | % |
General
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.26 | g/cm³ |
| Electrical Conductivity | 18–25 | % |
| Melting Range | 865–980 | °C |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| solution_treatment | 780–800 °C | water | 1-3h | Rapid quench for supersaturated solution |
| age_hardening | 315–340 °C | air | 2-3h | Peak hardness — Be precipitates |
Compatibility verdict
CuBe2 and CuBe2 / CW101C / 2.1247: 100% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
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