Beryllium Free Copper Alloy Alternatives

Beryllium free copper alloy alternatives from NGK's GMX range offer high strength and heat resistance without beryllium. NGK Berylco is part of the NGK Group, with NGK Berylco UK in Salford, NGK Berylco France in Couëron near Nantes and NGK Deutsche Berylco in Germany.

What sets these alloys apart is strength and conductivity together. Beryllium copper is the only copper alloy that can be hardened both by cold working and by age hardening. Optional additions of nickel, cobalt or lead improve formability, bendability or machinability. The alloys are fully non-magnetic, resist corrosion in many fluids and work at extremely low temperatures. Strip complies with EN 1654, and surface finishing includes cleaning, corrosion inhibition and optional gold or silver plating.

When comparing copper alloys, look at the full set of numbers: tensile strength (Rm), yield strength (Rp), elongation (A50), hardness (HV, HB or HRC), formability as a bend ratio (R/t) and electrical conductivity in % IACS.

No single grade wins on all of them. The right choice depends on how the part is made, what it has to carry and the conditions it works in. NGK Berylco's technical team can talk through the trade-offs.

NGK Berylco alloys go into aerospace, automotive, electronics, telecommunications, energy, defence, medical, hydrogen, home appliances, watchmaking and oil and gas applications. Wherever strength, conductivity and reliability have to work together, these materials earn their place.

NGK Berylco's range covers beryllium copper and beryllium-free copper-nickel-tin. The Berylco alloys contain up to 2% beryllium in a copper matrix: C17200 (Berylco 25) is the most versatile, C17300 (Berylco 33/25) is the go-to for screw machining and C17510 (Berylco 14) delivers very high conductivity. C17530 (Berylco 7) and C17000 (Berylco 165) extend the family. The GMX copper-nickel-tin grades are C72700 (GMX 96), C72950 (GMX 215) and C72900 (GMX 158).

NGK Berylco also runs a scrap recycling and buyback programme. Recovered material is remelted into alloy of identical composition, which cuts waste and helps customers hit their sustainability targets. All of this sits under ISO 9001, EN 9100, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

To discuss Beryllium Free Copper Alloy Alternatives, 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.