Beryllium Copper for Solar and Wind Energy

Beryllium copper for solar and wind energy goes into photovoltaic connectors that last more than 20 years and turbine blade bearings that need low friction. NGK Berylco is part of the NGK Group. NGK Berylco France, in Couëron near Nantes, has been one of Europe's leading high precision processors of beryllium copper strip since 1971, and UK, Irish and Nordic customers are looked after by NGK Berylco UK in Salford.

In solar energy, beryllium copper connectors are widely used in photovoltaic cells. High electrical conductivity combined with resistance to corrosion and wear gives reliable performance for over 20 years across a temperature range of -30 °C to +50 °C. In wind energy, the alloy's anti-friction properties suit bearings in wind turbine blades.

Offshore oil and gas makes use of beryllium copper's corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high strength, conductivity and non-magnetic behaviour. It appears in platform structures, wellhead control systems, hydraulic circuits and actuators, electronic equipment and drilling tools.

Anti-galling performance suits bearing rings in oil drilling, and non-sparking properties make it a natural fit for explosion-proof tools.

The core Berylco grades are C17200 (CuBe2, Berylco 25) for high strength, C17300 (CuBe2Pb, Berylco 33/25) for free machining and C17510 (CuNi2Be, Berylco 14) for high conductivity. Where a beryllium-free option suits better, the GMX copper-nickel-tin range covers it. NGK's technical team can help match grade, temper and form to the job.

Quality is backed by ISO 9001, the aerospace standard EN 9100, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, with an in-house testing and inspection laboratory and an active R&D programme.

To discuss Beryllium Copper for Solar and Wind Energy, contact NGK Berylco UK on +44 (0)161 745 7162 or email enquiries@ngkberylco.co.uk. The Salford team covers the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries.