EFFECTS OF AGING PROCESS ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BERILLLIUM COPPER ALLOY C17200

Abstract

Beryllium copper alloy is an alloy with good electrical conductivity, high yield strength, and high strength, often used in springs and electrical contacts. This article studies the heat treatment of beryllium copper alloy C17200 including quenching at 780^oC-0.5h, aging at 350^oC-0.5h, 1h, 2h, different time, analysis of microstructure of samples to evaluate the influence of time aging to the precipitation phase γ in alloys, factors that change the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the alloy. When quenching at 780^oC -0.5h, the alloy has a hardness of about 120HB and a strength of about 290MPa. The sample after aging at 350°C-1h has hardness as high as 380HB and strength up to 1100MPa, both the hardness and strength after aging are more than 3 times higher than the sample after quenching.