Stamping Material Selection Guide

Bend Rating Key:

Green Yellow Orange Red

ESI’s Bend Rating scale measures the formability of a Easy formability Moderate formability; Limited formability; Difficult formability;
material based on its ability to bend or form without possible strain chance of tearing likelihood of tearing
tearing or breaking. “Green” designates easier formability
all the way through “red” as most difficult.

Radii for various thicknesses, whereas “t”=times thickness. 0t to 3t 3t to 6t 6t to 9t 9t +

Beryllium Copper
Yield Strength Min- Density
Tensile Strength Min- Elongation imum
Recommended Conditions Bend Hardness (lb/cu in) Corrosion
Summary Applications Magnetic? imum (KSI) Minimum (0.2% offset) Cost?
Finishes? Available Rating (Min-Max) Resistance
(% 2" Gauge) (lb/in³) (g/cm³)
KSI MPa KSI MPa

Rockwell
C172 Annealed
60 - 78 35% - 65% 28 - 60 B45 - B78
(After Heat No 414-538 193-414 0.298 8.249 $$$$
(165 - 195) (3% -15%) (140 - 175) (Rockwell
Treat)
C36 Min)
172 combines formability with Rockwell
C172 1/4 Hard
high strength properties when 75 - 88 15% - 40% 60 - 80 B68 - B90
Springs, (After Heat No 517-607 414-551 0.298 8.249 $$$$
aged. It exhibits higher strength (175 - 205) (3% -10%) (150 - 185) (Rockwell
connectors, Treat)
and hardness compared to Copper, Nickel, C36 Min)
172 commercial copper alloys and Tin, Gold, Silver
switches,
Rockwell
automotive C172 1/2 Hard
appears in applications such 85 - 100 9% - 30% 75 - 95 B88 - B96
parts (After Heat No 586-689 517-655 0.298 8.249 $$$$
as automotive parts, switches, (185 - 215) (1% - 8%) (160 - 195) (Rockwell
Treat)
connectors, and springs. C38 Min)
Rockwell
C172 Hard
100 - 130 2% - 18% 90 - 112 B96 - B104
(After Heat No 689-896 620-772 0.298 8.249 $$$$
(190 - 220) (1% - 6%) (165 - 205) (Rockwell
Treat)
C38 Min)

About Us
Engineering Specialties Inc. (ESI) delivers custom manufacturing solutions, specializing in production metal stamping,
CNC machining and advanced assembly capabilities. For more information about ESI, visit www.esict.com.

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