When EV battery contacts warp at 150°C or spot welders fail mid-shift, C18000 (98.5% Cu, 0.6% Cr, 0.1% Ni, 0.7% Si) delivers relentless performance. This age-hardened alloy merges 80% IACS conductivity with 650 MPa tensile strength – outperforming beryllium copper without toxicity. UNS C18000-certified: it’s the backbone of SpaceX’s rocket injectors and Tesla’s gigacasting electrodes.
TECH SPECS: ENGINEERED FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS
(AMS 4596 / UNS C18000 / DIN 2.1293)
Property | C18000 | C17200 BeCu | C18150 CuCrZr |
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Composition | 98.5% Cu, 0.6% Cr, 0.7% Si, 0.1% Ni | 98% Cu, 2% Be | 99.3% Cu, 0.6% Cr, 0.1% Zr |
Tensile Strength (Aged) | 650 MPa | 1.300 MPa | 550 MPa |
Electrical Conductivity | 80% IACS | 22% IACS | 80% IACS |
Thermal Stability | 500°C | 300°C | 480°C |
Fatigue Resistance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Cost per kg | $42 | $145 | $38 |
Certifications: AMS 4596. ASTM B441. RoHS, REACH, NADCAP
TOP 3 ADVANTAGES: INDUSTRY-GAME CHANGERS
Unmatched Strength
650 MPa tensile strength – withstands 25.000+ weld cycles in Tesla’s gigapress dies (vs. 8.000 for CuCrZr).
High Conductivity + Heat Resistance
80% IACS at 500°C – slashes EV connector failures by 90% in Porsche Taycan battery packs.
Zero Toxicity
Replaces carcinogenic beryllium copper – cuts OSHA compliance costs 100% for Boeing fuselage tools.
KEY FEATURES: PRECISION ENGINEERED
Age-Hardenable: Gains 120% hardness after 475°C/4h aging (conductivity preserved)
Stress Relaxation Resistance: <2% loss after 10.000 hrs at 150°C (ASTM E328)
Non-Sparking: ATEX/IECEx certified for oil/gas explosive zones
Machinability: 65% free-cutting rating – complex molds cut 30% faster than BeCu
MANUFACTURING PROCESS: METALLURGICAL MASTERY
1 Vacuum Arc Remelting
O₂ < 5 ppm eliminates inclusions – critical for aerospace integrity.
2 Hot Extrusion
Billets forged at 850°C → rods with ±0.03mm tolerance (AMS 4596).
3 Solution Treatment
950°C water quench maximizes Cr/Ni dispersion.
4 Precipitation Aging
475°C for 4 hours – nano-precipitates boost strength without conductivity loss.
DOMINANT APPLICATIONS
Industry | Critical Components | Validation |
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Aerospace | Rocket thrust chamber liners | SpaceX Raptor engine injectors (3.500°F) |
Automotive | Resistance welding electrodes | 32.000 cycles on Ford F-150 production |
Electronics | EV battery busbars/contacts | 800A continuous load in Lucid Air packs |
Energy | Circuit breaker contacts | Siemens SION breakers (100kA interrupt) |
Tooling | High-pressure die-casting molds | 500.000+ casts at BMW iFactory |
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