Beryllium Copper (C17200) (UNS C17200) is a difficult-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 8.25 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 1100 MPa and a typical hardness of HRC 38. Those numbers make it the right choice for spring contacts and non-sparking tools, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.02 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 1.6 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for Beryllium Copper (C17200) parts is 4-8 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
Beryllium Copper (C17200): key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | C17200 |
| Density | 8.25 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 1100 MPa |
| Hardness | HRC 38 |
| Machinability | Difficult |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 100-150 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 5 of 5 |
Machining Beryllium Copper (C17200): what to plan for
- Beryllium dust is toxic
- Requires extraction and PPE
- Only machine in annealed state
Cutting speed for Beryllium Copper (C17200) with carbide tooling sits around 100-150 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Flood coolant is not optional here. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in Beryllium Copper (C17200)
- Spring contacts
- Non-sparking tools
- Mould inserts
- Aerospace bushings
Most Beryllium Copper (C17200) work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.02 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 1.6 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 4-8 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for Beryllium Copper (C17200) parts?
Standard is 4-8 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in Beryllium Copper (C17200)?
+/-0.02 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep Beryllium Copper (C17200) in stock?
We hold common sizes of Beryllium Copper (C17200) and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply Beryllium Copper (C17200) parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
- POM / Delrin CNC Machining: Plastic Gear and Bushing Parts
- PEEK CNC Machining for Semiconductor and Medical Parts
- C110 Copper CNC Machining for Busbars and Heat Sinks
- Nylon (PA6 / PA66) CNC Machining Guide
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
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