ASTM B870-21 PDF

Overview

ASTM B870-21 is the internationally recognized standard specification for copper-beryllium alloy forgings and extrusions, covering UNS numbers C17500, C17510, and C17540. Developed by ASTM International, this standard establishes the material, manufacturing, and test requirements for copper-beryllium alloy products manufactured through hot working or extrusion, followed by heat treatment processes.

Copper-beryllium alloys are valued for their balance of mechanical strength, hardness, and electrical conductivity, making them essential in demanding engineering and electrical applications. ASTM B870-21 ensures that forgings and extrusions produced using these alloys meet precise criteria for composition, physical properties, and performance.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements: Specifies that the alloys must be manufactured from cast billets that conform to strict chemical composition requirements for beryllium, cobalt, nickel, and other elements.
• Manufacturing Process: Products must be created through hot working or extrusion, solution heat-treating, and precipitation hardening, followed by straightening to achieve the desired properties.
• Property Requirements: Sets requirements for:
  • Chemical composition for UNS C17500, C17510, and C17540
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Hardness (Rockwell scale)
  • Mechanical strength (tensile and yield strength)
• Product Forms: Covers a wide range of forgings and extrusions, including large section shapes. Distinguishes these from smaller rod and bar stock detailed in other standards.
• Ordering Information: Guidance is provided on specifying alloy, temper/condition, dimensions, tolerances, and quantity when ordering.
• Inspection and Testing: Details methods for verifying chemical composition, electrical conductivity, hardness, and mechanical properties, referencing standardized ASTM test procedures.
• Safety and Compliance: Emphasizes the user's responsibility for safe handling and compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.

Applications

Copper-beryllium alloy forgings and extrusions made in accordance with ASTM B870-21 provide high-performance solutions for industries requiring a combination of durability, strength, and electrical properties. Common applications include:

• Electrical connectors and components: Utilized for their superior conductivity and mechanical stability.
• Aerospace and defense: Parts requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and reliability in critical environments.
• Automotive components: Including terminals, switches, and safety systems.
• Industrial equipment: Such as springs, shafts, and custom-shaped parts requiring both hardness and ductility.
• Oil and gas industry: Components exposed to corrosive or high-pressure environments.

Adherence to ASTM B870-21 ensures that these products perform reliably under demanding service conditions, meeting both functional and safety requirements.

Related Standards

For organizations and engineers working with copper-beryllium alloys and related copper materials, the following ASTM standards are closely connected to B870-21:

• ASTM B194 - Copper-Beryllium Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
• ASTM B249/B249M - General Requirements for Wrought Copper and Copper-Alloy Rod, Bar, Shapes, and Forgings
• ASTM B441 - Copper-Cobalt-Beryllium, Copper-Nickel-Beryllium, Rod and Bar
• ASTM B601 - Classification for Temper Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys
• ASTM E8/E8M - Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• ASTM E18 - Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• ASTM E1004 - Test Methods for Determining Electrical Conductivity Using Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Method

Utilizing these standards alongside ASTM B870-21 supports consistency, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across a wide range of copper alloy engineering applications.