Surface oxides of beryllium copper alloy take two forms:
- Beryllium oxide, present on surfaces exposed to the high temperature needed for solution annealing;
- Combinations of beryllium and copper oxides, present on parts after precipitation hardening.
The removal of a pure, continuous beryllium oxide will not be considered here since solution annealing is rarely performed by the user. For special cases, such as removal of oxides formed during annealing or welding, contact CUBERYLLIUM® for appropriate cleaning procedures.
The surface of copper beryllium can be prepared for plating or joining, or simply restored to its original, lustrous appearance, with the following procedure:
- Step 1– Immerse parts in a 50°C aqueous solution of 20-25 volume percent sulfuric acid plus 2-3 volume percent hydrogen peroxide. Immersion time should be that required to remove dark col- oration and provide the desired response or appear- ance.
- Step 2 – Rinse thoroughly and dry.
When necessary, parts made from mill hardened material can be readily cleaned by the above method. In all cases care should be taken to avoid excessive immersion time or high acid concentration since these may remove measurable amounts of metal.