Multipurpose copper alloys and processing therefor with moderate conductivity and high strength
AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorsRonald N. Caron, John F. Breedis
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Abstract
A multipurpose copper base alloy having an improved combination of ultimate tensile strength and electrical conductivity. The alloy can be tailored for applications such as in connectors or leadframes by processing. The alloy may be processed to provide improved bend formability at some sacrifice in strength. The alloy in the stabilized condition shows surprising improvement in stress relaxation resistance. The alloy comprises a Cu-Ni-Si alloy to which about 0.05 to about 0.45% by weight magnesium is added.
Claims32
A process for manufacturing a copper base alloy having an improved combination of strength and conductivity, said process comprising:
- (a) providing a copper base alloy consisting essentially of from about 2 to about 4.8% by weight nickel, from about 0.2 to about 1.4% by weight silicon, from about 0.05 to about 0.45% by weight magnesium and the balance copper;
- (b) casting said alloy into a desired shape;
- (c) hot working said alloy from a temperature of from about 750.degree. to about 950.degree. C.;
- (d) cold reducing said alloy at least about 30%;
- (e) aging said alloy at a temperature of from about 350.degree. to 700.degree. C. for a period of up to about 8 hours;
- and
- (f) finally reducing said alloy from about 10 to about 90% reduction.
A process for manufacturing a copper base alloy having an improved combination of strength, bend formability and conductivity, said process comprising:
- (a) providing a copper base alloy consisting essentially of from about 0.05 to about 5.0% by weight nickel, from about 0.01 to about 2.0% by weight silicon, up to about 1% by weight magnesium and the balance copper;
- (b) casting said alloy into a desired shape;
- (c) solutionizing said alloy at a temperature of from about 750.degree. to about 950.degree. C. for a period of from about 30 seconds to about 8 hours;
- (d) cold reducing said alloy at least about 30%;
- and
- (e) overaging said alloy to provide improved bend formability by annealing at a temperature of from about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. for a period of from about 1/2 to about 8 hours.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.