bobgzzi04,
CuBe alloys are used in plastic mold applications due to the excellent thermal condustivity and extremely wear resistant surface. The cycle times in a CuBe mold will be much faster than in a comparable steel mold. The thermal conductivity of CuBe is far superior to steel. Depending on the alloy of CuBe, it can be 3 to 10 times higher.
An Inconel valve should not be a problem at all. CuBe alloys and virtually all nickel based alloys that I have run across work well together. Unlike many other metals, CuBe also works well when run with or against itself. 2% CuBe alloys have rotational bearing type galling values around 100KSI when run against other 2% CuBe alloys. That is extreme to say the least. When you compare these numbers to other typically high performance bushing alloys,like the various Ampco's, you find that the CuBe alloy properties are often 2-3 times better.
2% CuBe alloys will hold peak properties in intermittent or continuous use at up to 625F. --.5% alloys will hold to about 800-850F. The properties of the two alloys though are very different. 2% alloys are typically HRc40 with 30% IACS electrical conductivity vs. .5% alloys with HRb 95 and 50% IACS conductivity.
If you need something even more robust, we make a NiBe alloy that will maintain HRc 50-55 at 900-1000F continuous.
Although I have seen the various NON-beryllium alloy ads touting better properties than CuBe, like Trojan, it is just not true. I have no idea where they get their CuBe property data, but it is not representative of CuBe's best. If it were possible, my company would be out of business. Beryllium containing alloys continue because they can and do perform in critical and severe duty applications where other metals will not. IF there were a lower cost and more traditional material that could perform like CuBe, there would be no market for CuBe. This is definitely not the case. Don't believe everything you read in metal ads.
jjam