Development of high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloys by rapid solidification

High-strength and high-conductivity copper alloy is a kind of structural function materials, which has excellent comprehensive mechanical and physical properties. The strengthening methods of copper alloy are summarized. The basic requirements of high-strength and high-conductivity copper alloy is established. The application of the materials is described, including lead frame materials, electrified contact wires materials, electrode Materials. Meanwhile, the alumina dispersion strengthened copper alloy is introduced. The internal oxidation process, structure, dispersoid and anti-intenerate properties have also been analysis in detail. Finally, the development direction of this material is put forward.

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Investigation of the Nickelless, High Conductivity, High Strength, Copper Alloys. (1 st and 2 nd Reports)

Journal of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials ◽

10.2320/jinstmet1937.7.95 ◽

1943 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 95-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Y. Konishi ◽

T. Kashibuchi ◽

F. Sakakibara

Keyword(s):

Copper Alloys ◽

High Strength ◽

High Conductivity

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Processing of Cu-Cr alloy for combined high strength and high conductivity

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development ◽

10.29037/ajstd.317 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A.O Olofinjana and ◽

A. and K. S. Tan

Keyword(s):

Solid Solution ◽

Rapid Solidification ◽

High Strength ◽

Casting Process ◽

High Conductivity ◽

Volume Proportion ◽

Combined Solution ◽

Peak Aging ◽

Peak Aged ◽

Cr Concentration

High strength and high conductivity (HSHC) are two intrinsic properties difficult to combine in metallic alloy design because; almost all strengthening mechanisms also lead to reduced conductivity. Precipitation hardening by nano-sized precipitates had proven to be the most adequate way to achieve the optimum combination of strength and conductivity in copper based alloys. However, established precipitation strengthened Cu- alloys are limited to very dilute concentration of solutes thereby limiting the volume proportion hardening precipitates. In this work, we report the investigation of the reprocessing of higher Cr concentration Cu- based alloys via rapid solidification. It is found that the rapid solidification in the as-cast ribbon imposed combined solution extension and ultra-refinement of Cr rich phases. X-ray diffraction evidences suggest that the solid solution extension was up to 6wt%Cr. Lattice parameters determined confirmed the many folds extension of solid solution of Cr in Cu. Thermal aging studies of the cast ribbons indicated that peak aging treatments occurred in about twenty minutes. Peak aged hardness ranged from about 200 to well over 300Hv. The maximum peak aged hardness of 380Hv was obtained for alloy containing 6wt.%Cr but with conductivity of about 50%IACS. The best combined strength/conductivity was obtained for 4wt.%Cr alloy with hardness of 350HV and conductivity of 80% IACS. The high strengths observed are attributed to the increased volume proportion of semi-coherent Cr rich nano-sized precipitates that evolved from the supersaturated solid solution of Cu-Cr that was achieved from the high cooling rates imposed by the ribbon casting process. The rapid overaging of the high Cr concentration Cu-Cr alloy is still a cause for concern in optimising the process for reaching peak HSHC properties. It is still important to investigate a microstructural design to slow or severely restrict the overaging process. The optimum HSHC property reported here is a rare combination of high strength (>350Hv ~ 900MPa) and conductivity (50 – 80% IACS) found in metallic alloys.

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Paper 16: Copper and its Alloys

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Conference Proceedings ◽

10.1243/pime_conf_1965_180_143_02 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 180 (4) ◽

pp. 145-159

Author(s):

E. G. West

Keyword(s):

Low Temperatures ◽

Copper Alloys ◽

High Strength ◽

High Conductivity ◽

Copper Base ◽

Alloying Additions ◽

The Past ◽

Mechanical And Physical Properties ◽

High Nickel ◽

Medium Conductivity

There have been many developments in the copper-base alloys during the past few years, but the full properties now available to the engineer are not being fully utilized in many instances. This paper discusses the newer ranges of alloys with indications of the fields of use: electrical alloys covering both alloys of high conductivity and medium conductivity with mechanical properties, including those at raised temperatures, superior to high-conductivity copper itself; high-strength alloys for mechanical engineering applications, including information on the effects of raised and very low temperatures on mechanical and physical properties; copper alloys for castings—discussed in groups based on gunmetals (for example with additions of nickel), aluminium bronzes (including those with high nickel and other alloying additions), and the manganese-containing alloys. Parallel with the development of new alloys, there have been important advances in the fabricating processes applied to copper-base alloys, and these are briefly discussed in relation to the older as well as the newer materials.

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