鈹銅（Beryllium copper） @ Tangerine John

鈹銅（Beryllium copper）

Beryllium copper (BeCu), also known as copper beryllium, beryllium bronze and spring copper, is a copper alloy with 0.5—3% beryllium and sometimes with other alloying elements. Beryllium copper combines high strength with non-magnetic and non-sparking qualities. It has excellent metalworking, forming and machining qualities. It has many specialized applications in tools for hazardous environments, musical instruments, precision measurement devices, bullets, and aerospace. Beryllium-containing alloys create an inhalation hazard during manufacturing due to their toxic properties.

鈹銅（BeCu）又稱銅鈹、鈹青銅或彈簧銅，係指鈹含量在0.5～3％，有時添加其他合金化元素之銅合金？鈹銅為一種非磁性、無火花之高強度材料，擁有優異的金屬加工性、成型性等性質，在有害環境、樂器、精密量測裝置、彈藥與航太上有許多的應用。在製造過程中，含有鈹（Beryllium）的合金會因其毒性而產生吸入性的危害。

Beryllium copper is a ductile, weldable, and machinable alloy. It is resistant to non-oxidizing acids (for example, hydrochloric acid, or carbonic acid), to plastic decomposition products, to abrasive wear and to galling. Furthermore, it can be heat-treated to improve its strength, durability, and electrical conductivity. Beryllium copper attains the highest strength (to 1,400 MPa (200,000 psi)) of any copper-based alloy.[1]

鈹銅係一種延性、可焊接與可加工的合金，能夠耐受非氧化性酸，如鹽酸、碳酸等，亦耐塑性分解、耐磨耗、耐擦傷。再者，鈹銅可採用熱處理來改善其強度、韌性與導電性，可獲得所有銅基合金中最高強度（達1400MPa）。

As beryllium compounds are toxic and accumulative poisons, there are some safety concerns with handling its alloys. In solid form and as finished parts, beryllium copper presents no known health hazard.[2] However, breathing its dust or vapors, as formed when machining or welding, will eventually cause serious lung damage.[3] Beryllium compounds are known human carcinogens when inhaled.[4] As a result, beryllium copper is sometimes replaced by safer copper alloys such as Cu-Ni-Sn bronze.[5]

鈹銅化合物具有毒性，在處理這類合金時，會產生一些安全上的疑慮。固態形式的鈹銅及其成品，並未出現已知的健康危害，然而，當加工或焊接期間吸入其粉塵或氣體時，最終會導致嚴重的肺部損害，當人們吸入時這些含有鈹的化合物時，這些物質是被認為具有致癌性的。因而，鈹銅有時會被較為安全的銅合金所代替使用，例如Cu-Ni-Sn青銅。

Beryllium copper is a non-ferrous alloy used in springs, spring wire, load cells and other parts that must retain their shapes during periods in which they are subjected to repeated stress and strain. Due to its electrical conductivity, it is used in low-current contacts for batteries and electrical connectors.

鈹銅係一種非鐵合金，被應用作為彈簧、彈簧線、荷重元與其他必須在反覆的應力應變週期下仍須維持其形狀的部件。由於其導電性不惡，經常被用來作為低電流的電池與電子連接器的接點之用。

Because beryllium copper is non-sparking but physically tough and nonmagnetic, it is used to make tools that can safely be used in environments where there are explosive vapors and gases, such as on oil rigs. Beryllium copper fulfills the demands of ATEX directive for use in Zone 0, 1, and 2.[6] Various tool types are available, including screwdrivers, pliers, spanners, cold chisels and hammers. An alternative metal sometimes used for non-sparking tools is aluminum bronze. Compared to tools made of steel, beryllium copper tools are more expensive, are not as strong, and wear out more quickly. However, the advantages of using beryllium copper in hazardous explosive environments outweigh these disadvantages.

由於鈹銅不會引起火花、強度高以及非磁性，常被用來製作可在易燃易爆的蒸氣或氣體環境中的機具，例如應用在石油鑽探設備之上。鈹銅可符合ATEX爆炸性環境指令（ATEX directive）中Zone 0、Zone 1與Zone2之需求，各種機具之形式悉皆可以採用，包括螺絲起子、鉗子、扳手、冷的鑿子與錘子，另一可供選擇的不使機具發生火花的材料為鋁青銅（aluminum bronze）。相較於不鏽鋼，鈹銅機具更加昂貴，強度稍遜，磨耗的速度也更快，然而，可在有害的爆炸性環境中操作之優點似乎比它的缺點來得更有價值。

Beryllium copper is frequently used in the manufacture of professional-quality percussion instruments, especially tambourine and triangle, where it is prized for its clear tone and strong resonance. Unlike most other materials, an instrument composed of beryllium copper will maintain a consistent tone and timbre for as long as the material resonates. The "feel" of such instruments is rich and melodious to the point that they seem out of place when used in darker, more rhythmic pieces of classical music.[citation needed]

鈹銅經常被用來製作為專業等級的打擊樂器上，尤其是手鼓與三角鐵，以鈹銅製成的打擊樂器足以產生清亮的音質與宏亢之共鳴。不似其他大多數材料，只要使其共鳴，以鈹銅組成的樂器可保有安定的音色與音質，此類樂器的調子優美、豐滿，但似乎卻不適合在光線黯淡的古典音樂場合中使用，大概過度的節奏會解離了古典音樂所致。

Beryllium copper has found use in ultra-low temperature cryogenic equipment, such as dilution refrigerators, because of its combination of mechanical strength and relatively high thermal conductivity in this temperature range.

由於低溫中鈹銅結合了機械強度與相對高的熱傳導性，該材料可被用於超低溫裝置中，例如稀釋制冷機（1951年H.London提出可以用超流4He稀釋3He的方法製冷的理論。到1965年P.Das等人根據這一理論製成了3He-4He稀釋製冷機，來源：http://www.qiji.cn/baike/Detailed/17667.html）

Beryllium copper has been used for armour piercing bullets,[7] though any such usage is unusual because bullets made from steel alloys are much less expensive, but have similar properties.

鈹銅已被用來製作穿甲彈，儘管這樣的應用法是不大合乎常理的，由於用不鏽鋼合金製作的子彈可以有相類似的性質且便宜得多。

Beryllium copper is used for measurement-while-drilling tools in the directional (slant drilling) drilling industry. A non-magnetic alloy is required, as magnetometers are used for field-strength data received from the tool.

鈹銅可用來製作鑽探機具的量測裝置之用，當磁力計被用來接收機具上的場強度資料時，一種非磁性合金材料是很能派上用場的。

Beryllium copper gaskets are used to create an RF-tight (resistant to radio frequency leakage), electronic seal on doors used with EMC testing and anechoic chambers.

鈹銅墊圈通常會產生一種射頻緊度（RF-tight），用以防止無線電頻率的洩漏損失，利用電磁相容性（EMC）測試電子封條（Electronic Seal）與無響室（Anechoic Chamber，按：無響室係用以測定振動、轉動或壓縮類等機構在暫態或穩態下所產生音量的特殊聲波無反射實驗室，故無響室又名聲波無反射室。來源：http://ckmsound.blogspot.com/2011/06/anechoic-chamber.html）

For a time, beryllium copper was used in the manufacture of golf clubs, with emphasis on wedges and putters. Many golfers prefer the soft feel of BeCu club heads, particularly for chip shots and putts around and on the green, where an extra measure of control is desired. Due to regulatory issues and high costs, BeCu clubs are difficult to find in current production, so vintage and pre-owned examples remain in demand.

有段期間，鈹銅被用來製作高爾夫球桿，特別是挖起桿（Wedge）與推桿（Putter）等。許多高爾夫球選手喜歡鈹銅桿頭擊球時那種柔和的手感，尤其在草地上削球（Chip Shot）或推桿時，需要相當精確的操控能力時，這種球桿是相當合宜的。受到品質管理以及高成本等問題，鈹銅球桿不易量產，因此二手球桿的市場仍舊相當地熱絡。

Beryllium copper wire [8] is produced in many forms: round, square, flat and shaped, in coils, on spools and in straight lengths. Beryllium copper wire is resistant to non-oxidizing acids (for example, hydrochloric acid, or carbonic acid), to plastic decomposition products, to abrasive wear and to galling. Furthermore, it can be heat-treated, age hardened and tempered to improve its strength, durability, and electrical conductivity.

鈹銅線可擁有多樣形式，如圓形、正方形、平面或定製型態等，可纏繞在捲盤、線軸或以直線方式呈現。鈹銅可承受非氧化性酸的侵蝕（如鹽酸、碳酸）、耐塑料分解產物、耐磨耗與擦傷。再者，鈹銅可藉熱處理，如時效硬化與回火處理以改善其強度、耐久性與導電能力。

Little Falls Alloys Corp.[9] pioneered this metal as spring wire since its commercial inception and has led in its development since 1943.

1943年，美國的小菲爾斯合金公司（Little Falls Alloys Corp.）率先開發此種金屬作為彈簧線材。（按：但鈹銅這個材質應該是1929年由德國西門子公司所開發，由於當時德國缺乏錫礦，錫是製作青銅（即銅-錫合金，Bronze）的主要原料之一，因此德國人使用2％鈹來替代高達12％的錫，以節約用料。來源：Masing, G., Dahl, O. (1929) "Ternary Beryllium Containing Alloys on the Copper Base" Wiss. Veroeff. Siemens-Konzern 8: 202-210、http://www.mnstarfire.com/ww2/history/economic/resources.html）

Alloy 25 beryllium copper (C17200 & C17300) is an age-hardening alloy which attains the highest strength of any copper base alloy. It may be age hardened after forming into springs, intricate forms or complex shapes. It has superb spring properties, corrosion resistance and stability as well as good conductivity and low creep.

合金25鈹銅（C17200與C17300）係一種時效硬化合金，可獲致所有銅基合金中最高的強度，此合金可在材料成型為彈簧或複雜形狀後予以時效硬化，並擁有極佳的彈簧特性、腐蝕阻抗與安定度、良好的導電性與低潛變等優點。

Tempered beryllium copper is Alloy 25 (C17200 & C17300) which has been age hardened and cold drawn. No further heat treatment is necessary except for a possible light stress relief. It is sufficiently ductile to wind on its own diameter and can be formed into springs and most shapes. Tempered wire is most useful where the properties of beryllium copper are desired, but age hardening of finished parts is not practical.

已時效硬化及冷抽後的合金25鈹銅（Alloy 25）（C17200與C17300）可進行回火處理，除了可能發生的少量應力釋放外，該系材料本身不太需要額外的熱處理，其延展性足够使其成型為彈簧或大部分的形狀了！回火線是一種適合大多數鈹銅線性質的熱處理方式，但對於成品的時效硬化處理則不大實用化。

Alloys 3 (C17510) and 10 (C17500) beryllium copper are age-hardenable and provide excellent electrical conductivity in combination with good physical properties and endurance strength. Provided in either the age-hardenable condition or as tempered ware, they are used in springs and wire forms which are electrical conductors, or where retention of properties at elevated temperatures is important.

合金3鈹銅（Alloy 3）（C17510）與合金10鈹銅（Alloy 10）（C17500）係一種可時效硬化合金，提供優異的導電性、物理特性與耐久強度。該系材料可採時效或回火處理，應用在導電體上的彈簧或線段，並在高溫環境中維持其特性。

High strength beryllium copper alloys contain up to 2.7% of beryllium (cast), or 1.6-2% of beryllium with about 0.3% cobalt (wrought). The high mechanical strength is achieved by precipitation hardening or age hardening. The thermal conductivity of these alloys lies between steels and aluminium. The cast alloys are frequently used as material for injection molds. The wrought alloys are designated by UNS as C17200 to C17400, the cast alloys are C82000 to C82800. The hardening process requires rapid cooling of the annealed metal, resulting in a solid state solution of beryllium in copper, which is then kept at 200-460 °C for at least an hour, facilitating precipitation of metastable beryllide crystals in the copper matrix. Overaging is avoided, as an equilibrium phase forms that depletes the beryllide crystals and reduces the strength enhancement. The beryllides are similar in both cast and wrought alloys.

高強度鈹銅合金含有達2.7％鈹（鑄造），或1.6～2％鈹中添加0.3％鈷（鍛造），其高機械強度係藉由析出硬化或時效硬化所獲致。該材質之熱導率介於鋼和鋁之間。鑄造合金常常被用來作為射出成型模的材料。依照美國的統一編號系統UNS，鍛造合金屬C17200至C17400之間，鑄造合金屬C82000至C82800之間。硬化程序需要將已退火的金屬進行快速冷卻，以在銅基中產生適當的鈹固溶體，處理法為在200～460℃保溫至少1小時，促進銅基中的介穩態鈹化物結晶（一種介金屬化合物）析出，當平衡相形成時，過時效（Overaging）是需要避免的，由於此時鈹化物結晶已耗盡，並且會導致強度的降低。這種鈹化物（Beryllide）近似於鑄造及鍛造合金兩者。

High conductivity beryllium copper alloys contain up to 0.7% beryllium, together with some nickel and cobalt. Their thermal conductivity is better than of aluminium, only a bit less than pure copper. They are usually used as electric contacts in connectors.[10]

高導電鈹銅合金含有達0.7％鈹，並添加一些鎳與鈷。其熱導率高於鋁，僅略為低於純銅，通常使用在連結器的電氣接點之用。

資料來源：

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper

[1] Bauccio, Michael (Ed.). ASM Metals Reference Book, Third Edition. Materials Park, Ohio: ASM International. pp. 445. ISBN 0-87170-478-1.

[2] "Beryllium-Copper MSDS". csunitec.com. Retrieved 2011-06-17.

[3] "RFI Industries — Copper 5". Rfi-ind.com.au. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

[4] http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/newhomeroc/10thRocFactsheet.pdf

[5] "Suppliers — General Information — Supplier Environmental Compliance — BMS7-373 Copper Nickel Tin Alloy Rod". Boeing. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

[6][{http://www.csunitec.com/nonsparking/alloy-choice_zone-definitions.html | ATEX Directive Zones 0, 1, 2,}]

[7] "Federal Law and AP Ammunition". Nucnews.net. Retrieved 2009-11-02.

[8] http://www.lfa-wire.com/berylliu.htm

[9] http://www.lfa-wire.com