Copper Alloy C17300 · temper · default condition
Copper Alloy C17300-A
Properties of the A condition, compared with the other C17300 tempers.
Soft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing.
What is C17300-A?
C17300-A is C17300 in the A temper — soft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing. C17300-A has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi). C17300-A has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 83% of copper alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 78% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
C17300-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17300-A — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C17300 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the copper alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C17300-A has a density of 8.26 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 865°C (1,589 °F).
Mechanical13
C17300-A has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 128 GPa (18.6 Msi).
Thermal6
C17300-A is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 56% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17300-A conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, better than 50% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 57% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17300-A takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
C17300-A's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 69% of copper alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C17300 tempers and conditions
C17300 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C17300 overview.
- ADefaultSoft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing.220 MPa yield · 110 HB
- TH04Peak strength and hardness condition; choose for maximum wear/bearing loads, ductility is minimal.1,240 MPa yield · 42 HRC
- HStandard fully heat-treated condition (≈315 °C/3 h) for springs, tooling and high-strength machined parts.1,035 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- TF00Solution-annealed C17300 given a full precipitation age (~315–345 °C), giving peak strength and hardness with the free-machining benefit of the lead addition; ductility is low.1,035 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- TD04Maximum cold-worked strength without ageing; best chip control on screw machines.660 MPa yield · 22 HRC
Working with C17300-A
Is C17300 easy to machine?
Lead makes it the easiest BeCu to turn (~60 % of AISI 1212); machine in Condition A or TD tempers, use carbide, flood coolant and wet dust control — beryllium-containing swarf and dust must be captured.
Can C17300 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended because of the lead; use resistance/spot welding, mechanical joints, or silver brazing with careful flux and post-braze re-ageing.
Can C17300 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and thread only in Condition A or 1/4–1/2 hard; age at ~315 °C for 2–3 h afterwards, allowing ~0.1–0.2 % dimensional shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on C17300?
Not anodizable; electroless Ni, Ni/Au or Ag plating, passivation or bright polishing are standard — avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent stress-corrosion cracking.
C17300 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| BeASTM B196 C17300 | 1.8 – 2 | 1.9 |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Ni+Co0.20 % minimum | ≥ 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Ni+Co+Fe0.6 % maximum combined | ≤ 0.6 | — |
| Curemainder, ~97.3 % | balance | — |
C17300-A — frequently asked
What is C17300-A used for?
C17300-A is typically used for automatic-lathe pins and plungers, machined electrical contacts, miniature connector sockets, valve components, mould and die inserts and non-sparking safety tools. In short: high-strength copper; conductive.
What is the yield strength of C17300-A?
C17300-A has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 50% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is C17300-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 69% of copper alloy grades). Lead makes it the easiest BeCu to turn (~60 % of AISI 1212); machine in Condition A or TD tempers, use carbide, flood coolant and wet dust control — beryllium-containing swarf and dust must be captured.
Can C17300-A be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Fusion welding is not recommended because of the lead; use resistance/spot welding, mechanical joints, or silver brazing with careful flux and post-braze re-ageing.
What surface finishes work on C17300-A?
Not anodizable; electroless Ni, Ni/Au or Ag plating, passivation or bright polishing are standard — avoid ammonia-based cleaners to prevent stress-corrosion cracking.
Can C17300-A be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend and thread only in Condition A or 1/4–1/2 hard; age at ~315 °C for 2–3 h afterwards, allowing ~0.1–0.2 % dimensional shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17300-A?
C17300-A is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C17300-A and C17300-TH04?
A is the default condition — soft, most-stocked supply condition for machining or forming before customer ageing. TH04: peak strength and hardness condition; choose for maximum wear/bearing loads, ductility is minimal. Yield strength is 220 MPa in A versus 1,240 MPa in TH04.
Can FabDigit make parts in C17300-A?
Yes — C17300-A is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B196/B196M — Copper-Beryllium Alloy Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM B441 — Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium and Copper-Beryllium Rod/Bar (related tempers) — ASTM International (2019)
- CDA Alloy C17300 property sheet — Copper Development Association (2023)
- Alloy 25 / Alloy M25 technical data — Materion Brush Performance Alloys (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.