Exemplary high-performance special copper solutions engineered to satisfy rigorous international industrial specifications.
A comprehensive analysis of composition, precipitation-hardening, and the synergistic mechanics of high electrical conductivity and physical yield stress.
In the scope of heavy industrial electrical engineering, high-stress mechanical connections, and thermal dissipation applications, material selection represents a critical ceiling for product durability and system safety. C17510 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium (CuNi2Be) stands out as a high-performance, precipitation-hardening alloy meticulously designed to bypass the traditional metallurgical trade-off between electrical conductivity and mechanical hardness. Unlike classic copper grades that forfeit mechanical tenacity in favor of low resistance, C17510 utilizes a precise composition containing approximately 0.2% to 0.6% Beryllium (Be) and 1.4% to 2.2% Nickel (Ni), with the balance being copper (Cu).
The microstructure of C17510 achieves its exceptional performance profile via specialized thermal treatment. This comprises solution annealing at temperatures where the beryllium and nickel are dissolved into the copper matrix, followed by rapid quenching. Subsequent precipitation hardening (aging) at temperatures ranging from 450°C to 550°C induces the controlled formation of sub-microscopic nickel beryllide ($Ni_2Be$ or $NiBe$) phases. These intermetallic precipitates pin dislocation movement throughout the crystal lattice, yielding high mechanical strength while leaving the copper matrix virtually free of dissolved impurities, allowing it to sustain up to 60% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) electrical conductivity.
| Alloy Grade (UNS) | Nominal Composition (%) | Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Hardness (HRB / HRC) | Primary Industrial Utility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C17510 (CuNi2Be) | Be: 0.2-0.6, Ni: 1.4-2.2, Cu: Bal. | 45 - 60 | 680 - 960 | 90 - 102 HRB | Relays, welding electrodes, EV charging connectors, 5G RF terminals |
| C17500 (CuCo2Be) | Be: 0.4-0.7, Co: 2.4-2.7, Cu: Bal. | 45 - 60 | 680 - 960 | 90 - 100 HRB | Resistance welding tips, switch parts, electrical projection dies |
| C17200 (CuBe2) | Be: 1.8-2.0, Co+Ni: 0.2 min, Cu: Bal. | 15 - 25 | 1100 - 1380 | 36 - 42 HRC | Heavy-duty springs, non-sparking safety tools, aerospace bushings |
| C18150 (CuCr1Zr) | Cr: 0.5-1.5, Zr: 0.05-0.25, Cu: Bal. | 75 - 85 | 450 - 580 | 70 - 85 HRB | Resistance welding caps, structural mold plates, continuous casting molds |
Selecting C17510 as a core raw material is crucial when component failure from high electric load, cyclic thermal fatigue, or mechanical wear is unacceptable. While C17200 offers higher absolute mechanical strength, its relatively low conductivity restricts its use in heavy current transfer applications. C17510 fills this critical engineering gap, providing structural integrity under continuous load while minimizing Joule heating and energy dissipation in electrical pathways.
Blending metallurgical precision, environmental stewardship, and advanced manufacturing to support global engineering supply chains.
Established in 2017, Sichuan Kepai New Materials Co., Ltd. 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 widely applied in high-tech fields including new energy vehicles (NEVs), 5G technology, laser cutting, and lithium battery relays.
Located in the western area of the Sichuan Guanghan Industrial Development Zone, adjacent to National Highway 108, Kepai enjoys a superior geographical location and convenient transportation, laying a solid foundation for rapid enterprise development and global export operations. Since its establishment, Kepai has adhered to the business philosophy of "innovation-driven development, quality wins the market," committed to providing customers with high-quality high-end copper alloy materials, and promoting industrial upgrading and sustainable development.
Evaluating the macro-economic and logistical benefits of partnering with Sichuan-based advanced alloy manufacturers.
Operating in Sichuan provides access to a clean hydro-energy grid. This renewable electricity source enables us to lower the carbon footprint of energy-intensive copper smelting. For international buyers aiming for strict ESG compliance and low Scope 3 emissions, Kepai offers a sustainable manufacturing base.
Our proximity to domestic industrial bases for essential alloying components (nickel, chromium, zirconium, and high-purity copper cathodes) ensures a resilient supply chain. This stability shields international buyers from materials bottlenecks and volatile global logistics disruptions.
By keeping metallurgy, continuous extrusion, and quality testing in one facility, we accelerate prototype turnaround. This integration allows us to adjust alloying percentages, quenching cycles, and mechanical profiles to match client engineering drawings.
Discover how C17510 Copper-Nickel-Beryllium drives efficiency and safety across critical next-generation industries.
In electric vehicles, C17510 is critical for high-voltage battery relays, busbars, and rapid charging gun terminals. During fast-charging sequences exceeding 350A, the alloy prevents thermal runaway at the contact point while maintaining mechanical spring force over thousands of mating cycles.
With high-frequency 5G networks, signal loss must be minimized. C17510 acts as the mechanical foundation for coaxial connector springs and RF switches, ensuring continuous contact pressure and low resistance to prevent attenuation at microwave frequencies.
For spot welding structural steel and stainless steel, C17510 is an ideal electrode material. Its combination of high thermal conductivity and hot hardness prevents tip deformation (mushrooming) under high temperatures, reducing line maintenance and down-time.
C17510 provides high mechanical reliability and thermal conductivity for safety-critical aerospace connectors, switchgear, and actuator sleeves, mitigating risks associated with high friction and current load spikes.
Ensuring metallurgical integrity and international regulatory compliance for aerospace, automotive, and electrical engineering.
Procuring C17510 beryllium nickel copper for critical applications requires rigorous quality control. Industrial buyers must ensure compliance with international specifications such as ASTM B534 (for copper-cobalt-beryllium and copper-nickel-beryllium plate, sheet, strip, and rolled bar) and EN 12163. These standards govern composition limits, dimensional tolerances, and grain-size distribution.
Key quality validation steps include:
In addition, global environmental compliance is crucial. Buyers must ensure that all shipments comply with RoHS and REACH directives, confirming the materials are safe for handling in consumer and industrial assemblies.
How Sichuan Kepai New Materials integrates research, production, and distribution on a global scale.
Technological innovation is our core competitiveness. We feature a research and development and production team 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 our 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.
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.
We deploy advanced metallurgy, continuous extrusion, and high-precision testing instruments to guarantee quality.
Smelting
Laying-off
Extrusion
Drawing
Straightening
Package
Eddy current conductance instrument
Chemical composition test room
Metallographic sample polishing machine
Microcomputer controlled testing machine
LCD electronic testing machine
Hardness tester
Our commitment to international quality management and manufacturing standards is verified by authoritative audits.
Crucial metallurgical and procurement information for industrial buyers, quality managers, and design engineers.
While both are precipitation-hardening copper alloys offering similar physical properties, the primary difference lies in the alloying elements: C17510 contains Nickel (Ni) alongside Beryllium (Be), whereas C17500 utilizes Cobalt (Co) as its primary alloying agent. They are often used interchangeably, but C17510 is frequently preferred in Europe and Asia due to nickel availability and specific regulatory preferences regarding cobalt handling.
Yes, C17510 can be successfully welded using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW / TIG), and gas metal arc welding (GMAW / MIG). However, because thermal exposure can over-age the alloy and lead to a localized loss of strength and conductivity, welding parameters must be precisely controlled. Post-weld heat treatment (re-aging) is often required to restore optimal physical properties.
C17510 offers high thermal stability. Unlike standard oxygen-free or pure copper grades that soften rapidly at temperatures above 200°C, C17510 retains its mechanical hardness and yield strength up to approximately 400°C. This resistance to thermal softening makes it excellent for resistance welding electrodes and internal components in electrical switchgear.
Finished, solid copper-nickel-beryllium components pose no health hazards. However, inhalation of fine beryllium dust, fumes, or mists generated during machining, grinding, or welding processes can cause serious lung conditions (such as berylliosis). Safe workshop procedures require local exhaust ventilation, wet machining practices, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
EV fast-charging connectors require materials that can handle high electrical currents with minimal heat generation. C17510's high conductivity (up to 60% IACS) keeps resistance losses low, while its high mechanical strength ensures the spring-loaded pins maintain solid contact pressure over thousands of cycles, preventing structural degradation and arcing.
Ensure the manufacturer provides ISO 9001 certification, third-party SGS material certificates, chemical analysis sheets (showing Be and Ni weight percentages), conductivity test reports, and RoHS/REACH compliance documentation. For automotive components, verification of compliance with IATF 16949 standards is recommended.
Explore our full line of industrial copper alloys, tailored for high-temperature and wear-resistant applications.
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 partners from around the world to create a brilliant future together!
Kepai
