Beryllium Copper is certainly the most attractive Copper alloy due to a combination of good conductivity, resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and above all the ability to heat treat the metal to reach high yield, hardness and elongation similar to those of hardened and tempered Carbon Steel. The heat treatment is simple aging, at low temperature. Beryllium Copper does not spark, therefore special tools made of Beryllium Copper for use in fuel tanks, gas, and explosive environments.
Due to these features Beryllium Copper strips are used widely, including: fine springs, electronics connectors and contacts, and more. The spring is often plated with a thin layer of gold, mainly to prevent corrosion at points of contact.
The most popular Beryllium Copper strips are in half-hard condition, about 200 VPN. After manufacturing the spring, it is heated to a temperature of 315-335 ° C for two hours. After turning off the oven and cooling, material will reach hardness of about 400 VPN.
Small particles of Beryllium Copper, created by grinding or machining, are very hazardous to the respiratory system, and therefore very strict safety rules must be noted and observed.
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