Beryllium Copper (BeCu) — Strongest Copper Alloy 2025 Guide

Beryllium Copper is a copper-based alloy containing:

• 0.4–2.0% Beryllium
• Optional Nickel or Cobalt additions

These elements dramatically increase strength through precipitation hardening.

Common Grades:

• C17200 (2% Be) – High strength grade
• C17500 / C17510 (Be + Co/Ni) – High conductivity grade

• Up to 1400 MPa tensile strength
• Comparable to many alloy steels
• Strongest copper alloy available

Conductivity ranges from 20–60% IACS, making it suitable for connectors, relays, and precision electronics.

Safe for aerospace, defence, and explosive environments.

Ideal for springs, diaphragms, contacts, and components requiring long cycle life.

Retains strength at elevated temperatures and maintains high durability.

Excellent resistance to seawater, chemicals, and atmospheric corrosion.

Summary: Beryllium Copper is significantly stronger than all other copper alloys.

Beryllium Copper gains its impressive strength through:

• Solution Annealing: Dissolves beryllium into copper.
• Quenching: Rapid cooling locks atoms in place.
• Aging (Precipitation Hardening): Forms fine beryllide particles that block dislocation movement.

This process produces very high hardness and tensile strength.

Properties:

• Highest strength
• Good conductivity
• Excellent fatigue performance

Applications:

• Springs
• Precision connectors
• Aerospace components
• Downhole drilling tools
• Defence components

Properties:

• Higher electrical conductivity
• Moderate strength
• Ideal for electrical applications

Applications:

• Electrical connectors
• Relay springs
• High-current components

• Structural components
• Aircraft bushings
• Drones & defence electronics
• Aerospace contacts
• High-load springs

Why? It is non-magnetic, non-sparking, and stronger than most non-ferrous metals.

• Connectors
• Relays
• Switch contacts
• Battery terminals
• High-frequency components

BeCu maintains strength even at high temperatures.

• MWD/LWD tools
• Non-magnetic drill collars
• Corrosion-resistant bushings
• Valve components

BeCu withstands high pressure, corrosive chemicals, and requires non-magnetic properties.

• Springs
• Bolts
• Connectors
• Pump parts

Strong corrosion resistance makes it suitable for marine systems.

• Dies
• Moulds
• Wear plates
• Gears

BeCu withstands wear, impact, and temperature variations.

• Highest strength of all copper alloys
• Excellent fatigue resistance
• Non-magnetic and non-sparking
• Excellent conductivity
• High wear resistance
• Good corrosion resistance
• Long service life in harsh conditions

• Higher cost: One of the strongest non-ferrous alloys, but more expensive.
• Requires controlled heat treatment: Incorrect aging reduces strength.
• Beryllium dust is hazardous during manufacturing (safe for end users).

Choose BeCu if:

• You need maximum strength
• You need high fatigue resistance
• You need non-magnetic material
• You need non-sparking alloys
• You need reliable electrical performance

Don’t choose BeCu if:

• You only need moderate strength → Use phosphor bronze
• Cost is the main concern → Use brass
• Marine only → Consider aluminium bronze or cupronickel