Processing for copper beryllium alloys

In a process for producing formed parts from a copper beryllium alloy, which process includes the steps of:

• preparing a copper beryllium melt;
• casting the melt, hot working the cast copper beryllium;
• solution annealing the copper beryllium;
• optionally cold working the solution annealed copper beryllium;
• forming the copper beryllium;
• and age hardening the formed copper beryllium at a temperature of from 400.degree. to 1200.degree. F. for a period of at least 4 minutes;
• the improvement comprising the step of preaging the solution annealed or solution annealed and cold worked copper beryllium, prior to forming, at a temperature of from 400.degree. to 1000.degree. F. for a period of up to 180 seconds, the copper beryllium being at final gauge prior to preaging.