Heat treatment is the key to the versatility of beryllium copper series

Heat treatment is the key to the versatility of beryllium copper alloy series. Unlike other copper-based alloys that can only be strengthened by cold working, the deformed beryllium copper is combined with a thermal process called heat treatment to obtain high strength, electrical conductivity and hardness. These beryllium copper alloys can be heat treated to improve their formability and mechanical properties, while other alloys do not. For example, when the material is in a stage of easy deformation, it can be made into a complex shape, in a rolled state and then age hardened to the highest strength and hardness levels not found in any copper-based alloy.
The beryllium copper alloy heat treatment is a two-step process consisting of solution treatment and age hardening. Since Jintian Company performs solution treatment of all deformed beryllium copper products before fulfilling the loan, most manufacturers are mainly concerned with the age hardening process. This process is discussed in detail below and outlines the beryllium copper alloys provided; specific heat treatment procedures for deformed alloys and cast products, recommended heat treatment equipment, surface oxidation conditions, and general solution annealing operations.
Beryllium copper alloys are supplied in two basic alloy types (Table 1); high-strength beryllium copper has a moderately good electrical conductivity, and high-conducting beryllium copper is characterized by the best electrical conductivity and a slightly lower intensity level.