Explore our high-performance technical copper alloys designed for extreme environments, precision engineering, and high-frequency communication infrastructures.
UNS C17200, chemically consisting of approximately 1.8% to 2.0% Beryllium (Be) along with trace amounts of Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni), represents the zenith of high-strength copper alloys. Often referred to as Alloy 25, C17200 is specifically recognized for its capability to achieve the highest strength and hardness of any commercial copper-based alloy after age hardening. The fundamental metallurgical mechanism driving this performance is spinodal decomposition, where the supersaturated solid solution undergoes controlled precipitation of beryllium-rich phases (such as the gamma phase) during thermal processing.
By balancing this precipitation hardening, C17200 Beryllium Copper yields mechanical properties comparable to high-tensile alloy steels—reaching tensile strengths up to 1400 MPa and hardness values approaching Rockwell C40—while retaining substantial thermal and electrical conductivity (ranging from 20% to 30% IACS). This unique combination makes it indispensable for components that experience extreme cyclical stresses, high temperatures, and electrical loads, where standard bronzes or steels fail due to fatigue, stress relaxation, or thermal degradation.
Unprecedented yield strength (up to 1250 MPa) paired with excellent fatigue life. Provides outstanding resistance to structural deformation, galling, and wear under continuous cyclical loads.
Maintains robust conductivity profiles (up to 30% IACS), facilitating heat dissipation and minimizing resistive electrical losses in heavy-duty contactors and connector pins.
Intrinsically non-magnetic and non-sparking. Crucial for oil & gas drilling assemblies, downhole telemetry tools, defense applications, and hazardous industrial zones.
As high-technology industries evolve toward miniaturization and extreme operational environments, the development roadmap for C17200 Beryllium Copper centers on micro-structural grain refinement and advanced vacuum processing. Traditional melting routes are being upgraded to Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) and Electroslag Remelting (ESR) technologies. These pathways minimize trace impurities, reduce oxygen levels, and guarantee isotropic mechanical properties across all dimensions of extruded rods, wire, and forged plates.
Future iterations of C17200 focus on optimizing precipitation kinetics via cryogenic pre-treatments combined with rapid thermal annealing. This allows for the precipitation of nano-scale coherent phases, which suppress dislocation motion more effectively than traditional age-hardening methods. Furthermore, research into the recycling of beryllium-containing alloys has led to closed-loop recycling processes, dramatically reducing the environmental footprint and aligning high-strength copper metallurgy with global carbon-neutrality initiatives.
Integrating environmental stewardship with next-generation manufacturing to drive global industrial modernization.
Sichuan Kepai New Materials Co., Ltd., established in 2017, is a high-tech enterprise integrating research and development, production, and sales. Currently, the factory covers an area of approximately 9,000 square meters, with an office space of about 1,000 square meters. The company primarily engages in the production of strategic emerging new materials for the national 13th Five-Year Plan, including special copper alloys such as tellurium copper, high-conductivity oxygen-free copper, silver copper, and dispersion copper, while also focusing on the research and development of high-conductivity, easy-to-machine, high-strength copper alloys. Our products are mainly applied in high-tech fields such as new energy vehicles, 5G technology, laser cutting, and lithium battery relays.
The company is located in the western area of the Sichuan Guanghan Industrial Development Zone, adjacent to National Highway 108, boasting a superior geographical location and convenient transportation, which lays a solid foundation for the rapid development of the enterprise. Since its establishment, Kepai has adhered to the business philosophy of "innovation-driven development, quality wins the market," committed to providing customers with the highest quality high-end copper alloy materials, and promoting industrial upgrading and sustainable development.
Addressing engineering challenges across critical global industries with high-performance copper alloy material sciences.
C17200 is extensively utilized in aircraft landing gear bushings, guide pins, control surfaces, and aerospace electrical connectors. Its high resistance to fatigue and stress relaxation under broad temperature fluctuations prevents failure in life-critical avionic instruments.
Undersea drilling equipment relies on beryllium copper for directional drilling instrumentation, mud motor valves, and pressure housings. The non-magnetic property prevents interference with magnetometer readings, and its corrosion-wear resistance prevents saltwater degradation.
Crucial for electric vehicle (EV) charging contacts, high-voltage battery relays, and high-frequency 5G base station switches. High strength allows thin-walled designs that sustain contact pressure over millions of cycles, ensuring electrical connection stability.
Combining advanced chemical control, state-of-the-art testing systems, and high-capacity manufacturing structures.
Technological innovation is the core competitiveness of Sichuan Kepai New Materials Co., Ltd. Our research and development and production team is composed of senior industry experts who keep pace with international cutting-edge technology trends and continuously explore the unknown boundaries in the field of new copper alloy materials. Through a combination of independent research and development and industry-university-research collaboration, Kepai has made breakthrough progress in several areas, including high-performance tellurium copper, lead copper, and sulfur copper. Many of its technological achievements have reached international advanced levels and have been successfully applied in various industries such as new energy vehicles, precision machining parts, plasma cutting, relays, and energy storage, earning widespread recognition and praise in the market.
Kepai's product line is rich and diverse, covering a comprehensive range of solutions from basic materials to high-end customization. We focus on providing customers with high-performance, high-quality high-end copper alloy products, including but not limited to pure copper, oxygen-free copper, oxygen-free high-conductivity tellurium copper, nickel tellurium copper, tin bronze, beryllium copper, lead bronze, sulfur copper, and chromium zirconium copper. These products play an important role in reducing production costs and enhancing product performance due to their excellent physical and chemical properties and environmental friendliness, creating significant economic and social benefits for customers.
In the face of global market competition, Sichuan Kepai New Materials adheres to the development strategy of "rooted in Sichuan, radiating nationwide, and moving towards the world." By continuously optimizing market layout and improving the sales network, we have established a stable customer base in multiple provinces and cities across the country and have formed long-term cooperative relationships with several internationally renowned enterprises. At the same time, the company actively expands into overseas markets, participates in international competition and cooperation, and strives to promote Kepai's brand influence on the global stage.
We understand that the long-term development of an enterprise is inseparable from an excellent corporate culture. We advocate the corporate spirit of "integrity, innovation, collaboration, and win-win," encouraging employees to explore boldly and innovate courageously, while also emphasizing teamwork and talent cultivation, striving to create a harmonious, open, and inclusive work atmosphere. We believe that only by continuously pursuing excellence and creating value can we win the trust of customers and the respect of society.
Precision-engineered products require state-of-the-art facilities. We handle every step of production internally to maintain control over microstructure and quality.
For multinational corporations importing high-strength alloys like C17200 Beryllium Copper, sourcing goes beyond mechanical performance; it demands absolute supply chain reliability, compliance with global health and safety guidelines, and localized logistical support. Beryllium dust inhalation presents distinct health hazards during machining, which means sourcing from a certified exporter that provides complete Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), clear processing instructions, and pre-heat-treated components (eliminating downstream age-hardening risks) is essential.
As a leading custom copper alloy exporter, Sichuan Kepai maintains strict compliance with RoHS, REACH, and conflict-mineral-free regulations, ensuring safe passage and frictionless clearing through EU and North American customs. We support localized distributions with multi-tier trace logs for aerospace-grade lots, complete with mill test certificates (MTC) stating precise chemical percentages of Beryllium and stabilizing agents. From prototype sizes to container-level raw stock runs, our logistics network provides end-to-end transparency, buffer-stock arrangements, and prompt delivery options.
Our operation runs in accordance with ISO standards, environmental management frameworks, and strict metallurgical guidelines.
Addressing engineering queries, material handling, processing strategies, and procurement requirements.
To reach peak mechanical properties, UNS C17200 is typically subjected to solution annealing at approximately 760°C to 800°C, followed by rapid water quenching to freeze the supersaturated alpha-phase matrix. After fabrication, the parts are age-hardened (or precipitation-hardened) at 315°C to 345°C for 2 to 3 hours, depending on the desired temper (e.g., TH04 or TF00). This causes beryllium-rich GP zones to precipitate coherently inside the matrix, elevating tensile strength to its maximum limit.
While C18150 (Chromium Zirconium Copper) offers much higher electrical conductivity (up to 80% to 90% IACS), C17200 provides far superior tensile strength, hardness, and wear resistance. C17200 is chosen when structural components must withstand extreme clamping force, flexural fatigue, or high mechanical wear, whereas C18150 is typically preferred for spot welding electrodes or thermal paths where high current transmission takes precedence over mechanical yield limits.
Machining solid Beryllium Copper is safe under standard conditions because solid metal does not pose an inhalation hazard. However, any operations producing airborne dust, fine particles, or fumes—such as dry grinding, welding, EDM, or polishing—require strict local exhaust ventilation, dust collection systems, or wet machining techniques to keep airborne beryllium levels below safety limits. Inhalation of beryllium dust can lead to a condition known as Berylliosis.
Yes. As a custom copper alloy exporter and manufacturer, Sichuan Kepai designs and manufactures customized geometries, size distributions, and tempers. We control the entire production pipeline from melting to final cold-drawing, meaning we can customize cross-sectional tolerances, wall thicknesses of seamless tubes, and strip tempers to match precise requirements for automated stamping and machining.
C17300 contains a small addition of lead (around 0.2% to 0.6% Pb) to significantly improve its machinability index. It allows for high-speed automated machining with clean chip breaking. However, the addition of lead restricts C17300 from applications where lead-free compliance is mandatory (such as certain consumer electronics or medical products). C17200 is lead-free, conforming fully to global restriction guidelines while maintaining identical physical and strength traits when heat-treated.
Complete product spectrum offering thermal stability, high wear resistance, and precise manufacturing specifications.
Looking ahead, Sichuan Kepai New Materials Co., Ltd. will continue to uphold its original intention, with even greater enthusiasm and determination, to engage in research and application in the field of new materials, contributing to the development of the new copper alloy materials industry in China and globally. We look forward to working hand in hand with friends from all walks of life to create a brilliant future together!
Kepai
