CuBe2 vs CuCr1Zr (CW106C): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
CuBe2 vs CuCr1Zr (CW106C)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
CuBe2
CW101C
THE highest-strength copper alloy — UTS up to 1400 MPa (200 ksi), approaching steel strength with copper's conductivity (22% IACS aged). Age-hardenable: solution treat 780-800°C, age 315-340°C → HRC 38-45. Non-sparking, non-magnetic. Trade names: Alloy 25 (Materion), BeCu25 (NGK). CAUTION: Be dust is carcinogenic — machining requires extraction. Used for non-sparking tools, mold inserts, springs, connectors, and resistance welding electrodes.
CuCr1Zr (CW106C)
CW106C
Chromium-zirconium copper alloy, precipitation hardened. High electrical/thermal conductivity (~80% IACS) with significantly higher strength and hardness than pure copper. Age-hardened: Rm 440–540 MPa, Rp0.2 380–480 MPa, HB 130–170. Softening temperature ~500°C. UNS C18150, EN CW106C. Applications: resistance welding electrodes and caps, continuous casting molds, circuit breaker contacts, lead frames, MIG welding tips. THE standard electrode material.
| CuBe2 | CuCr1Zr (CW106C) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | CW101C | CW106C |
| Category | Copper & Brass | Copper & Brass |
| Standard | EN 12163 | EN 12163 / CEN/TS 13388 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | CuBe2 | CuCr1Zr (CW106C) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cr | — | 0.5–1.2% | — |
| Ni | 0–0.3% | — | — |
| Cu | — | ≥ 98.5% | — |
| Be | 1.8–2.1% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | CuBe2 | CuCr1Zr (CW106C) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 440–540 | 440–540 | MPa |
| elongation | 25–45 | 8–15 | % |
| hardness_hrc | 38–45 | — | HRC |
Compatibility Assessment
CuBe2 and CuCr1Zr (CW106C) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CuBe2 the same as CuCr1Zr (CW106C)?
CuBe2 and CuCr1Zr (CW106C) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace CuBe2 with CuCr1Zr (CW106C)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between CuBe2 and CuCr1Zr (CW106C)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. CuBe2 is a Copper & Brass grade, while CuCr1Zr (CW106C) is a Copper & Brass grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.