Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
  • C22C—ALLOYS
  • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
  • C22C9/04—Alloys based on copper with zinc as the next major constituent
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B1/00—Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials; Selection of materials as conductors
  • H01B1/02—Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials; Selection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of metals or alloys
  • H01B1/026—Alloys based on copper

Definitions

• the present invention relates to alloys and, more particularly, to copper-zinc alloys in which copper is the predominant ingredient.
• One of these further problems is related to the metallurgical properties and characteristics of these copper-containing alloys.
• wrought copper alloys including the copper-zinc alloys are often subjected to a stress-relieving or annealing heat treatment. After such a stress-relieving treatment, the tensile strengths of the copper-containing alloys usually fall off considerably and disadvantageously. Accordingly, what is needed is a copper-zinc alloy that retains much of its tensile strength even after stress-relieving or annealing.
• Another problem concerns modernday technological demands for copper-zinc alloys having good high temperature properties and characteristics as well as the other aforementioned properties, characteristics and advantages.
• This problem is somewhat related to the problem of producing copper-zinc alloys having high tensile strengths in the stress-relieved condition. Consequently, those alloys having the higher strengths in the stressrelieved state are ordinarily the alloys having the better tensile strengths at high temperatures.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide novel copper-zinc alloys which have beneficial properties and/ or characteristics in the stress-relieved condition.
• the invention also contemplates providing new copperzinc alloys having excellent strength in the wrought condition.
• Still another object of the instant invention contemplates new copper-zinc alloys having high strength in combination with adequate ductility.
• One of the other objects of this invention is to provide novel high-strength copper-zinc alloys having good thermal and electrical conductivity.
• a further object of the invention contemplates the provision of copper-zinc alloys having a unique combination of ingredients in special proportions.
• the present invention contemplates the production of unique copper-base alloys which have high strength and adequate ductility even when stressrelieved or annealed at temperatures as high as 350 C. or higher.
• the alloys of this invention contain, in weight percentages, about 0.05% to about 0.35%, e.g., about 0.1%, beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.5%, e.g., about 0.2%, titanium, up to about 0.5% chromium, up to about 10% aluminum, e.g., about 7%, and from about 10% to about 45% zinc with the sum of the aluminum and zinc percentages lying between about 10% and 45%.
• the remaining ingredient of these alloys apart from incidental elements, including impurities and residual deoxidizers, is copper in amounts of at least about 54.5%.
• the alloys of this invention containing the aforemetnioned ingredients in the aforementioned proportioned amounts are characterized by a high recrystallization temperature, refined grain structure and resistance to grain growth at elevated temperatures, e.g., 300 C., 500 C. or even higher.
• Another unique feature of the alloys within the scope of the present invention is that high strengths are obtained without any detrimental decrease in electrical and/ or thermal conductivity.
• the alloys according to this invention contain copper, zinc, titanium and beryllium in specially controlled amounts and each of these elements in combination with each other element plays an important part in controlling the properties and/ or characteristics of the alloy.
• the beryllium content is in the range of about 0.05% to about 0.35%, e.g., about 0.1%, and, advantageously, between about 0.05% and 0.085% by Weight of the alloy.
• the inclusion of beryllium in the amounts specified in the copper-zinc alloys of this invention aids in improving the tensile strength when appropriate amounts of titanium are copresent.
• the beryllium inclusion in combination with the remaining ingredients beneficially raises the recrystallization temperature and permits the alloy to be employed in high temperature applications.
• the beryllium may act as a deoxidizer.
• the beryllium should be employed to assure that the copper-zinc alloy contain beryllium in the amounts hereinbefore set forth.
• the maximum amount of beryllium is about 0.085%. It too little beryllium is used, e.g., less than about 0.05 the strengths of the copper-zinc alloys sufier.
• titanium when used in the amounts hereinbefore set forth in combination with the beryllium in the copper-zinc alloys of this invention, has an effect similar to that of beryllium.
• the titanium together with beryllium aids in the strengthening or hardening of copper-zinc alloys.
• the combined use of beryllium and titanium yields an even stronger alloy than is expected.
• the titanium may have a deoxidizing effect when desired.
• titanium substantially inhibits zinc-fuming, i.e., the volatilization of zinc.
• titanium apparently prevents the copper-zinc alloys containing beryllium from somewhat losing a portion of their strength at the more elevated temperatures, e.g., 300 C.
• the titanium content is between about 0.08% to about 0.12% by weight of the alloy for optimum properties and characteristics.
• the zinc content should be kept within the specified range of from to 45% in order to provide the desired results. If the zinc content is too high, the ductility is appreciably and undesirably reduced. If the zinc content is below about 10%, the strength of the copper-zinc alloys of this invention are adversely affected. Part of the zinc may be replaced by aluminum when still higher strengths or greater oxidation resistance is desired. However, as is known, these higher strengths and oxidation resistance are achieved at the expense of castability, workability and conductivity. In this connection, the alloy may contain up to about 10% aluminum which replaces zinc in an amount equal to the amount of aluminum added. However, the alloys of this invention must always contain at least about 10% zinc and the sum of the aluminum and zinc percentages does not exceed about 45%.
• the aluminum content is up to about 5% since aluminum, particularly in the higher end of the range, tends to form an oxide film which is detrimental during the fluxing phase of the soldering process.
• the copper-zinc alloys of this invention containing controlled amounts of beryllium and titanium may include up to 0.5%, e.g., up to about 0.1%, chromium by weight of the alloy.
• the alloy does contain chromium in amounts of between 0.015% and 0.02% since chromium contributes to the strength of the alloy while l atfording some increase in the corrosion resistance of the alloys of this invention.
• the alloys of this invention may also contain incidental elements such as up to about 0.5 silicon, up to about 1.5% iron, up to about 0.05% phosphorous, up to about 0.5% magnesium, up to about 1% tin, up to about 0.5 zirconium, up to about 2% manganese, up to about 0.5% lead, up to about 1% nickel and up to about 1% cobalt provided that the sum of such incidental elements is below about 3%, e.g. 1%.
• incidental elements such as up to about 0.5 silicon, up to about 1.5% iron, up to about 0.05% phosphorous, up to about 0.5% magnesium, up to about 1% tin, up to about 0.5 zirconium, up to about 2% manganese, up to about 0.5% lead, up to about 1% nickel and up to about 1% cobalt provided that the sum of such incidental elements is below about 3%, e.g. 1%.
• incidental elements such as up to about 0.5 silicon, up to about 1.5% iron, up to about
• the sum of zinc, aluminum and incidental ingredients is between about 10% and about
• the incidental elements are kept, below their solubility limits in the copper-zinc alloys of this invention.
• tin should be kept below about 1% by weight of the alloy since it has a tendency to form a phase having the appearance of the brittle delta phase of the copper-tin series.
• its inclusion in amounts of less than about 1% may afford some additional resistance to oxidation.
• Iron while its inclusion may be desirable as a grain refiner, should be kept below about 1.5% since the iron-rich constituent is preferentially attacked in corrosive media.
• lead is included to improve machinability but it seriously weakens the alloy and its inclusion in the alloys of this invention should be minimized.
• the alloys of this invention can tolerate up to about 0.5% lead, e.g., up to about 0.25%, is a quite important practical advantage since it permits the use of scrap in melting the alloy.
• Manganese additions increase the amount of any iron present that may go into solution. In addition, it can be present in greater amounts, e.g., about 3% with the higher aluminum contents, e.g., from about 5% to about 10%, since it appears to extend the range of ductile copper-zinc alloys containing aluminum.
• the alloys of this invention may also tolerate up to about 0.1% lithium although care should be taken to see that the uppermost portion of the range is not exceeded since lithium adversely afiects workability and fabricability.
• each of the aforementioned incidental elements is kept below about 0.3% in order to achieve optimum properties and characteristics in the alloy and below about 0.1% where conductivity is an important factor.
• the alloys contain, in weight percentages, about 0.05 to about 0.085% beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.12% titanium, about 0.015% to about 0.02% chromium, up to about 5% aluminum, about 15% to about 40% zinc with the sum of the aluminum and zinc percentages being about 15% to about 40% and the balance, apart from incidental elements including magnesium, lead, tin, iron, zirconium, nickel and manganese in amounts up to about 1.5% in all, being copper in amounts of at least about 60%.
• Such alloys have a superior combination of physical, mechanical and/ or metallurgical properties and/ or characteristics.
• the alloys have a transverse ultimate tensile strength (U.T.S.) of at least about 100,000 pounds per square inch (p.s.i.) in the 60% cold-worked condition and a transverse U.T.S. of at least about 50,000 p.s.i. after stress-relieving at about 450 C. for about one hour.
• U.T.S. transverse ultimate tensile strength
• p.s.i. pounds per square inch
• alloys of the present invention by virtue of their (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) hrgh strength even after a relatively high-temperature 6M 30 M81 0 12 (L016 stress-relief, permit a greater use to be made of coppersas 40 0.03 0.11 0.019 zinc alloys in more severe structural applications, in- 58% i8 8:8? 8: cluding high temperature applications.
• the alloys of the present contamed M21 magnesmm (mental element) invention can be used in high pressure radiators and other
• intermediate thickness of about 0.1 it is important to bear in mind that intermediate thickness of about 0.1".
• Table II lists the results of mechanical testing after alloys to similar or dissimilar metals. Moreover, their use about 60% cold Work (spring hard) and after stressin electrical applications is not in any manner restricted relieving at various temperatures for various times in particularly when compared with the conventional 70:30 hours (hrs.).
• Table II includes testing to brass since the conductivity of the alloys of the present determine the conductivity in relation to the International 25 invention is similar to the aforementioned conventional Annealed Copper Standard (I.A.C.S.). brasses.
• the uses for the alloys is greatly TABLE II Transverse Transverse Hardness Conductivity Alloy Condition U.T Elongation (Rockwell (percent (p.s.i.) (percent) B) I.A.C.
• An alloy consisting essential of, by weight about 7 0.05% to about 0.1% beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.2% titanium, up to about 0.1% chromium, up to about 7% aluminum, about 10% to about 45% zinc with the sum of aluminum and Zinc being about 10% to about 45%, less than about 0.1% lithium and the balance essentially copper in amounts of at least about 54.5%.
• An alloy consisting essentially of, by Weight, about 0.05% to about 0.085% beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.12% titanium, up to about 0.1 chromium, up to about aluminum, about to about 45% zinc with the sum of the aluminum present and Zinc being about 10% to about 45%, less than about 0.1% lithium and the balance essentially copper in amounts of at least about 54.5%.
• An alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, about 0.05% to about 0.085% beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.12% titanium, about 0.015% to 0.02% chromium, up to about 5% aluminum, about to about zinc With the sum of the aluminum present and zinc being about 15% to about 40% and the balance, apart from incidental elements, being copper in amounts of at least about 60%.
• a high'strength copper-zinc alloy having good conductivity consisting essentially of, by Weight, about 0.05
• eryllium 8 to about 0.35% eryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.5% titanium, up to about 0.5% chromium, about 10% to about zinc with the balance, apart from incidental elements in amounts of less than about 0.3%, being copper in amounts of at least about 54.5%.
• a high-strength copper-zinc alloy having good conductivity consisting essentially of, by Weight, about 0.05% to about 0.085% beryllium, about 0.08% to about 0.12% titanium, up to about 0.1% chromium, about 15% 10 to about 40% Zinc with the balance, apart from incidental elements in amounts of less than about 0.1%, being copper in amounts of at least about References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 683,122 11/1952 Great Britain. 954,288 4/ 1964 Great Britain.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
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• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
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Citations (4)

• 1964
  • 1964-12-28 US US421668A patent/US3369893A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1965
  • 1965-09-23 GB GB40580/65A patent/GB1085856A/en not_active Expired
  • 1965-10-16 DE DE19651483176 patent/DE1483176B2/de active Pending
  • 1965-10-19 CH CH1443165A patent/CH475359A/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1965-11-08 NL NL6514474A patent/NL6514474A/xx unknown
  • 1965-12-09 FR FR41642A patent/FR1457213A/fr not_active Expired

Patent Citations (4)

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