Beryllium copper

Beryllium Copper or copper beryllium, beryllium bronze or misleadingly called Kupferberylliumbronze, is an alloy of copper with 0.4 to 2 % beryllium. It can be contained to the alloy properties matched to the specific purpose other alloying elements such as cobalt, nickel or silicon, or to save beryllium (cost, health reasons ), without having to accept disadvantages in the functional alloy properties in purchasing. The largest producers of copper -beryllium alloys are the company NGK and Materion Brush Beryllium & Composites

Properties

Beryllium has some special properties:

  • It is soft annealed and then can be forged into the desired shape. Re- heating to 300 degrees Celsius can again harden the alloy. By cold hammering, the hardness can be further increased.
  • Despite the hardness proposes a hammer with a head made ​​of beryllium bronze sparks, so tools made ​​of this material can be used anywhere where they are working in hazardous areas ( oil rigs, gas plants, refineries ).
  • Beryllium is offered as other alloys in various hardnesses ( beryllium copper springs hold many more bends than the best steel spring - and are not ferromagnetic, in contrast to the latter ).
  • The electrical conductivity is high compared to steel (about 10 x 106 S / m to 35 x 106 S / m ), but significantly lower than that of pure copper ( about 58 x 106 S / m).
  • Beryllium copper is chemically very resistant.

Use

Beryllium copper is used for example for highly stressed springs into machines contact springs in relays, electrical contact contacts for spark-proof tools, plastic injection molds, in engine for valve seat inserts. Pistons for muzzle loaders are also made of beryllium copper, since they are exposed to high mechanical, thermal and chemical stresses.

Safety note

The beryllium is very toxic. It should therefore be taken to ensure that when editing not Be inhalable particles arise, as is the case for example when grinding, welding and solution annealing. Mechanical machining (milling, turning, drilling ) is classified as dangerous because it can allow any small particles in the air. TRK or MRK- values ​​there are none, these are with respect to the European harmonization in general for all substances in processing.

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