Micro-grained, cryogenic-milled copper alloys and process

A method for making a high strength micro-grained copper alloy comprising:

• co-milling in liquid nitrogen from about 97 to about 91 wt % copper powder and from about 3 to about 9 wt % aluminum powder, based on a sum of the weights of copper powder and aluminum powder;
• forming milled particles of a reddish, copper-color free of silver-colored agglomerates, said milled particles comprising stable nitrides, said milled particles free of Be, said stable nitrides formed during said milling in the presence of said liquid nitrogen;
• degassing said milled particles;
• and
• consolidating the milled particles into a fine grained billet.

A method for making a high strength micro-grained copper alloy comprising:

• co-milling in liquid nitrogen a first mass of copper powder and a second mass of a metal powder, the metal powder comprised of a second metal that is soluble in copper and that forms stable nitrides under cryogenic milling conditions in the presence of said liquid nitrogen, to form a co-milled mass of powder comprising said nitrides, said first mass of copper powder being from about 91 to about 97 wt %, said co-milled mass of powder being free of Be, said stable nitrides formed during said co-milling in the presence of said liquid nitrogen;
• wherein the second mass of the second metal powder comprises from about 3 to about 9 wt % of aluminum powder;
• degassing said co-milled mass of powder;
• subjecting the co-milled mass of powder to heat and pressure;
• and
• consolidating the co-milled mass into a billet comprising an alloy of copper comprising the metal soluble in copper.