Copper-base alloys containing chromium, niobium and zirconium
AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorsW. Gary Watson, John F. Breedis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Copper base alloys containing chromium, zirconium and niobium are disclosed as well as a process of heat treating and mechanically working said alloys. The combination of alloying elements, hot and cold working, annealing and aging steps increases both the strength and electrical conductivity properties of the alloy without excessive cold working.
Claims20
A copper base alloy which exhibits a combination of high strength and high electrical conductivity, said alloy consisting essentially of 0.05 to 1.25% by weight chromium, 0.05 to 1.0% by weight zirconium, 0.05 to 1.5% by weight niobium, balance copper.
A process for improving both the strength and electrical conductivity properties of copper base alloys, which comprises:
- a. casting a copper base alloy consisting essentially of 0.05 to 1.25% by weight chromium, 0.05 to 1.0% by weight zirconium, 0.05 to 1.5% by weight niobium, balance copper;
- b. hot working the alloy at a starting temperature of 950.degree.-1000.degree. C to effect the maximum solid solution of all alloying elements;
- c. rapidly cooling the alloy to maintain said maximum solid solution of all alloying elements;
- d. cold working the alloy to a total reduction of at least 60%;
- and
- e. aging said alloy at 400.degree.-500.degree. C for one to 24 hours.
A process for improving both the strength and electrical conductivity properties of copper base alloys, which comprises:
- a. casting a copper base alloy consisting essentially 0.05 to 1.25% by weight chromium, 0.05 to 1.0% by weight zirconium, 0.05 to 1.5% by weight niobium, balance copper;
- b. hot working the alloy at a starting temperature of 850.degree.-950.degree. C;
- c. solution annealing the worked alloy at a solutionizing temperature of 950.degree.-1000.degree. C, for a period of time sufficient to insure the maximum solid solution of all alloying elements;
- d. rapidly cooling the alloy to maintain said maximum solid solution of all alloying elements;
- e. cold working the alloy to a total reduction of at least 60%;
- and
- f. aging said alloy at 400.degree.-500.degree. C for one to 24 hours.
A wrought copper base alloy in the worked and aged condition having high strength and high electrical conductivity properties, said wrought alloy consisting essentially of 0.05 to 1.25% by weight chromium, 0.05 to 1.0% by weight zirconium, 0.05 to 1.5% by weight niobium, balance copper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.