Beryllium Copper is Widely
Used as a die metal for high –volume permanent mold
casting (some foundries use nickel beryllium for this purpose).
While beryllium copper is more expensive, off the shelf,
than steel or cast iron, its physical properties clearly
make it the cost effective choice when the volume of casting
production is high enough. The important factors involved
are copper beryllium’s high thermal conductivity,
elevated temperature ductility and its good machinability.
The high thermal conductivity - up to 10 times that of tool
steel – reduces susceptibility to thermal fatigue
and heat checking.
Beryllium
Copper Permanent Mold
Casting Die
Beryllium Copper dies can
remain serviceable for 30,000 to 50,000 shots depending
on the alloy being cast and the shape, size and complexity
of the casting. After this initial service period, however,
beryllium copper dies are normally reworked once or twice.
Beryllium copper’s high machinability is important
here, since it significantly reduces the cost of die rework
compared with that for steel dies. The total life of a beryllium
copper die may therefore extend as much as 150,000 shots,
far more than other die materials.
(Article
courtesy of
Copper Development Association "Copper
Alloys for permanent Mold Casting"
Freedom
Alloys, Inc. offers high and low hardness Beryllium
Copper Mold Plate and Rounds for a variety of mold tooling applications.
Proprietary precision forging and 100% Ultrasonic inspection insures
Freedom Alloys customers receive beryllium copper mold tooling products
of unmatched quality, reliability, and performance. Readily available
large size material configurations provide more application design flexibility
and improved material economy.
Freedom Alloys Beryllium Copper
precision forged tooling materials provide distinct advantages over
steel and aluminum tooling commonly utilized in the application.
Improved Thermal Conductivity
Uniform Heat Distribution (Improved Part Quality)
Rapid Heat Removal (Improved Cycle Time)
Improved Process Efficiency (Less Downtime)
Excellent Strength & Wear Resistance
Precision
Forged & UT Inspected Beryllium Copper Mold Plate and Rounds
Available in 3 Hardness and Thermal Conductivity Configurations
from Freedom Alloys, Inc.
172 High Hard Precision Forged
Mold Plate & Round Products
172 Low Hard Precision Forged Mold Plate
& Round Products
175 High Conductivity Precision Forged Mold
Plate & Round Products
Beryllium
Copper 172 High Hard and Low Hard Plate & Round Mold materials are designed and manufactured to provide a combination of high strength
and hardness properties coupled with superior thermal management characteristics.
Freedom Alloys high reliability beryllium copper mold tooling material
products offer production efficiency and improved piece part quality
in a variety of mold tooling applications for the plastics industry.
BeCu C17200 Fully ASTM Certified Hot & Cold Worked Plate
Beryllium Copper 172 High & Low Hard Forged
Mold Plate & Round
Products - Typical Properties
Product
Designation
Hardness
Rockwell C
Thermal
Conductivity BTU/ft.hr.0F
Ultrasonic
Inspection
172
HH (TF02)
36-42
60
100%
172
LH (TF01)
25-32
75
100%
High-Conductivity
Mold Tooling Plate & Rounds Based on the C17510/17500
Beryllium Copper Alloy System Offer the Highest Thermal Management Characteristics
Compared to Steel & Aluminum Tooling Materials.
Dramatic Thermal Management Performance in Maximum
Heat Removal Applications