Machinable Brass for Spring? 2

[AXNRXN]

Hi All,

I'm designing an electrical connector housing that is to be machined from brass. I need to design in a ramping bayonette-style twist lock into this housing...like what you would find on a typical BNC cable connector. This particular design requires that a piece of the brass flex like a spring a little bit when connecting the cable.

I'm trying to source some brass rod to try a couple design experiments. I saw that 260 Brass is used for springs, but can only find is in wire sizes. Any recommendations for a machinable brass that can withstand bending & fatigue a little more than standard 360 brass?

 

[MikeHalloran]

If you look real close at a BNC connector, you'll find that the spring action is not in the ramped part, nor is it in the pin part; it's in a wave spring that you won't notice unless you're looking for it.

That said, you _can_ make a spring from most any kind of brass, but it won't and can't have the same geometry as a steel or phosphor bronze spring.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[TVP]

Beryllium-Copper alloys like UNS C17200 are typically used for spring applications. There are numerous distributors of this alloy in rod form, such as Cube Alloys or NB&M:

Cube Alloys

http://www.cubealloys.com/product.asp

National Bronze & Metals

http://www.nbmmetals.com/c-57-c17200-beryllium-copper.aspx