The effects of the solid solution and aging treatment on the microstructure, hardness and electrical conductivity of Cu alloys containing 0.7 wt% and 1.8 wt% Be were investigated. These Cu-Be alloys contain Co, Si, Ni and Mn as alloying elements. An horizontal continuous casting process was applied to obtain unidirectionally solidified billets. A solid solution treatment of the sample was carried out at 865 degrees C and aging treatments were performed in the range 270-550 degrees C. For the Cu-1.8 wt% Be alloys, the electrical conductivity generally increased as the aging temperature increased in the range of 270-370 degrees C. For the Cu-0.7 wt% Be alloys, the electrical conductivity increased as the aging time increased in the range of 10-180 min.

Keywords: copper alloys; continuous casting; beryllium; hardness; electrical conductivity