C172 Beryllium Copper Speeds and Feeds (Milling, Drilling, Turning)

    Carbide end mills in C172 Beryllium Copper: 250–400 SFM. Also called BeCu, Alloy 25. Chart row used: “Bronze” (Solution annealed / aged).

    Starting point: carbide end mills

    RPM and IPM use the low end of the published range (250 SFM and the lowest chip load for each diameter range). RPM = SFM × 12 ÷ (π × D); IPM = RPM × flutes × chip load.

    C172 Beryllium Copper — inch end mills
    DiameterChip load (in/tooth)RPMIPM · 2 fluteIPM · 3 flute
    1/8".00057,6397.611.5
    1/4".00063,8204.66.9
    3/8".00122,5466.19.2
    1/2".00181,9106.910.3
    3/4".00201,2735.17.6
    1".00309555.78.6
    C172 Beryllium Copper — metric end mills (inch chip-load range the size falls in)
    DiameterChip load (in/tooth)RPMIPM · 2 fluteIPM · 3 flute
    3 mm.00058,0858.112.1
    6 mm.00064,0434.97.3
    10 mm.00182,4268.713.1
    12 mm.00182,0217.310.9
    16 mm.00201,5166.19.1
    20 mm.00301,2137.310.9
    Full published chip-load ranges
    • 1/32-1/8": .0005–.0014"
    • 1/8-1/4": .0006–.0015"
    • 1/4-3/8": .0012–.0025"
    • 3/8-1/2": .0018–.0030"
    • 1/2-3/4": .0020–.0040"
    • 3/4-1": .0030–.0050"

    Calculator — prefilled for C172 Beryllium Copper

    Results for Milling

    Spindle RPM
    1,910
    Feed
    13.8 IPM
    Chip load
    0.0016 in
    MRR
    0.52 in³/min
    Power
    — HP
    Torque
    — lbf·ft
    Programmed fz
    0.0018 in
    Actual SFM
    250
    Spindle use
    16%
    • Pick a material in the library below to estimate spindle power and torque.

    Material library

    Tool & coating guidance

    Grade, edge geometry and coating determine usable cutting data. Sharp polished edges can suit nonferrous work; substrate and geometry still govern. Coated vs uncoated carbide changes turning data only; no coating speed multiplier is inferred.

    Tool & cut parameters

    Manual values
    Chip thinning & cutter body
    %
    Radial factor ×1.09Angle factor ×1.00Programmed fz 0.0018 inMax chip hex 0.0016 in

    Fixed-angle peripheral estimate: hex = fz × radial factor × sin(KAPR). No radial correction at ≥50% engagement. Not a centered face-milling or ball-nose model. Sandvik geometry reference

    Insert styles, guidelines & formulas

    RPM = (SFM × 12) / (π × D) | Feed = RPM × programmed fz × effective zc | MRR = WOC × DOC × feed | HP = Kp × C × MRR × 1.1 ÷ 0.8 (Machinery's Handbook)

    Square (SEMT/SNMG)
    General purpose, 90° lead angle
    Round (RPMW/RCKT)
    Ramping, 3D contouring, high feed
    Triangular (TPMX)
    Light cuts, finishing
    Octagonal (ONMU)
    Face milling; HFM suitability is body-specific

    Milling Guidelines

    • Start at 70% of max SFM, increase gradually
    • Chip load too low → rubbing & heat buildup
    • Use climb milling when machine rigidity allows
    • Radial engagement >50% → reduce feed per tooth
    • Round inserts: best for ramp-in and 3D surfaces
    Open in the full calculator workspace

    Speeds by tool material

    Published starting ranges for C172 Beryllium Copper by operation and tool material. Rows marked * are estimates.

    C172 Beryllium Copper — speeds by tool material
    OperationToolSFMFeedSource row
    millingSolid carbide end mill250–4000.0018–0.0030 in/toothLakeshore Carbide · Bronze
    millingUncoated carbide (H10)920–11000.0040–0.0080 in hexSandvik milling (large engagement) · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper
    millingCoated carbide (GC1030)970–11500.0040–0.0080 in hexSandvik milling (large engagement) · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper
    millingCermet (CT530)1000–12000.0040–0.0080 in hexSandvik milling (large engagement) · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper
    millingPCD (CD10)1850–21500.0040–0.0080 in hexSandvik milling (large engagement) · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper
    turningUncoated carbide (H10)125–9800.0060–0.0310 in/revSandvik turning · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper
    turningPCD (CD10)125–9800.0020–0.0160 in/revSandvik turning · CMC 33.3 Bronze and lead-free copper incl. electrolytic copper

    Machinist tips

    Chip thinning
    At light radial engagement (under half the cutter diameter) the real chip is thinner than the feed per tooth. Raise the feed to keep the chip at the chart value, or the tool rubs and wears.
    Climb vs conventional
    On a rigid CNC, climb mill so each tooth starts thick and exits thin. Use conventional milling on machines with backlash or on hard scale skins.
    Sharp edges
    Use sharp, polished uncoated or nonferrous-coated tools so material doesn't stick to the edge.

    Common questions

    What SFM should I use for C172 Beryllium Copper?
    Lakeshore Carbide – General Purpose End Mill Speeds & Feeds lists 250–400 SFM for carbide end mills in the "Bronze" row. Start at the low end and adjust for your machine.
    What chip load for a 1/2" end mill in C172 Beryllium Copper?
    The published range for 3/8–1/2" carbide end mills is .0018–.0030" per tooth. At 250 SFM a 3-flute 1/2" end mill runs about 1910 RPM and 10.3 IPM.
    Are these values for HSS tools, drilling or turning?
    The end mill chart covers carbide end mills. The "Speeds by tool material" table adds published HSS, turning-insert and drilling rows for C172 Beryllium Copper where a source lists them (LittleMachineShop, Sandvik Coromant).
    C954 Aluminum Bronze speeds and feedsC630 Nickel Aluminum Bronze speeds and feedsC510 Phosphor Bronze speeds and feeds

    Sources

    Starting values only. Adjust for rigidity, tool manufacturer data and machine.

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