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Copper-Beryllium Foil/Sheet (Cu98-Be2)
Available Configurations
Properties common to all products in this list
| Thickness | Size | Temper ⓘ |
|---|---|---|
| 0.004 mm to 6.35 mm | 10 x 10 mm to 305 x 305 mm | As rolled Annealed Quarter hard Half hard Hard |
Need custom configurations? Please contact us.
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Key Features
Copper-Beryllium Alloy Foil (Cu 98/Be 2) is a precipitation-hardened copper-base alloy foil combining very high tensile strength, good electrical conductivity relative to high-strength copper alloys, and non-sparking and non-magnetic character in a flat foil format:
Very High Tensile Strength from Precipitation Hardening
Tensile strength of 800–1,400 MPa in the peak-aged condition approaches that of hardened tool steel at lower density and with the electrical conductivity of a copper alloy. The beryllium addition at approximately 2% enables precipitation of the CuBe intermetallic phase upon age hardening, a strengthening mechanism unique among copper alloys in the magnitude of strength increase it produces.
Non-Sparking Character
The non-sparking property of copper-beryllium alloy is the basis for its selection in tooling and components used in explosive or flammable environments, where accidental impact sparks from ferrous or other metallic tooling represent an ignition risk that Cu-Be eliminates.
Non-Magnetic Character
Non-magnetic character across the full service temperature range supports use in sensitive electromagnetic instrumentation, MRI-compatible instrument components, and precision analytical equipment where magnetic permeability would introduce interference or attract ferrous contamination.
Excellent Fatigue and Spring Life
Excellent fatigue resistance and spring life in the precipitation-hardened condition make Cu-Be alloy foil the standard material for precision spring contact elements in connectors and relays where repeated flexure without relaxation or fracture over millions of cycles is required.
Health and Safety Classification
Beryllium is classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 1). Applicable occupational health regulations must be observed when handling Cu-Be alloy foil and any machining or surface finishing operations that generate dust or fumes.
Industrial Applications
Copper-Beryllium Alloy Foil is used wherever the unique combination of very high strength, good electrical conductivity, non-sparking character, and non-magnetic behavior must be present simultaneously in a foil format:
- ✦ Precision Spring Contact Elements in Connectors and Relays
- Used for precision spring contact elements in connectors and relays, where the combination of 800–1,400 MPa tensile strength, excellent fatigue resistance in the peak-aged condition, and good electrical conductivity qualifies Cu-Be alloy as the standard high-performance spring contact material.
- ✦ Non-Sparking Shims and Shielding in Hazardous Area Equipment
- Applied as non-sparking shims and shielding in equipment used in explosive or flammable environments, where the non-sparking character of Cu-Be alloy eliminates the ignition risk associated with impact of ferrous or higher-spark-energy metallic components.
- ✦ High-Fatigue-Resistance Flexure Elements in Instruments
- Used for high-fatigue-resistance flexure elements in precision instruments, where the peak-aged mechanical performance sustains defined spring force and geometric accuracy over extended fatigue life in demanding instrument service conditions.
- ✦ High-Strength Non-Magnetic Foil in MRI-Compatible Instrumentation
- Applied as a high-strength non-magnetic foil in MRI-compatible instrumentation, where the combination of structural performance approaching hardened steel and confirmed non-magnetic character qualifies Cu-Be alloy foil for structural and shielding elements in magnetically sensitive diagnostic equipment.
- ✦ Fatigue, Fracture and CuBe Precipitation Kinetics Research
- Used for fatigue and fracture studies in precipitation-hardened copper alloys, for fundamental investigations of CuBe precipitation kinetics, and as a non-magnetic high-strength specimen for tribological and wear testing under electromagnetic constraints.
Material Properties
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness - Brinell | 100-360 |
| Elongation at break( % ) | 50 |
| Modulus of elasticity( GPa ) | 120-160 |
| Tensile strength( MPa ) | 500-1300 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical resistivity( µOhmcm ) | 5.4-11.5 |
| Temperature coefficient( K⁻¹ ) | 0.001-0.0018 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting point( C ) | 860-1000 |
| Thermal conductivity( W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ ) | 60-120@23°C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion( x10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ ) | 17@25-300°C |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Density( gcm⁻³ ) | 8.25 |
Tolerances
| Thickness | <0.01mm | ±25% |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.01mm - 0.05mm | ±15% |
| Thickness | >0.05mm | ±10% |
| Linear dimension | <100mm | ±1mm |
| Linear dimension | >=100mm | +2 / -1% |