Patent US3663216A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3663216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Aluminum electrical conductor
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-10
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Aluminum conductor containing 0.25 to 0.5% Cu and 0.05 to 0.20% Mg and having good tensile strength and a minimum electrical conductivity of 60 percent IACS together with good bendability and improved connector conduction stability. A preferred fabrication method contemplates working at temperatures that retain the Cu and Mg is solid solution but also impart strain hardening, a drastic cold reduction to produce a severely strain hardened conductor product followed by a controlled thermal treatment to relax a certain amount of the strain and precipitate a portion of the Cu and Mg.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Y Hunsicker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/02; H01B1/023; C; C22; C22C; C22C21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the aluminum alloy contains copper and magnesium in amounts such that Cu% + Mg% is at least 0.4 percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
shaping said body into an intermediate product suitable for cold working into the final conductor product, said working imparting to said intermediate product an amount of strain hardening equivalent to that which would be derived from cold reduction in cross sectional area from 15 to 30 percent while maintaining metal working temperatures at levels which retain essentially all the Cu and Mg in solid solution,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
working said body into a rod suitable for drawing into wire, said working imparting to said rod an amount of strain hardening equivalent to that which would be derived from a cold reduction in cross sectional area of from 15 to 30 percent while maintaining working temperatures at levels which retain essentially all of the Cu and Mg in solid solution,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
cold working, by drawing, said rod to produce said wire in a severely strain hardened condition equivalent to that which would be imparted by a cold reduction of at least 75 percent in cross sectional area,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
cold working said intermediate product to produce said conductor product in a severely strain hardened condition equivalent to that which would be imparted by a cold reduction of at least 75 percent in cross sectional area, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improved wire produced by claim 1, said wire exhibiting a minimum electrical conductivity of 60 percent IACS and minimum tensile and yield strength levels of 20 ksi and 15 ksi, respectively, and a minimum elongation of 3 percent in 10 inches together with good bendability and with good compressive electrical connectability to facilitate high stability of electrical connection conductance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
An aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of 0.25 to 0.5 percent copper, 0.05 to 0.20 percent magnesium, the balance being essentially aluminum with the following maximum limits on impurities: 0.10% Si, 0.25% Fe, 0.04% B, 0.05% Ga, 0.05% Zn, 0.01% Sn, 0.01% Ni, 0.005% Mn, 0.005% Cr, 0.005% Ti, 0.005% V and 0.005% Zr, said alloy being capable of being fabricated into electrical conductor exhibiting a minimum electrical conductivity of 60 percent IACS, good strength and elongation, together with good bendability and good compressive electrical connectability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
heating said strain hardened conductor product to a temperature of from 400* to 750* F. for 15 to 500 minutes to effect at least some relaxation of said strain hardened condition and some precipitation of said Cu and Mg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
heating said strain hardened wire to a temperature of from 400* to 500* F. for 15 to 500 minutes to effect a partial relaxation of said strain hardened condition and a partial precipitation of said copper and magnesium.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
9 words
A method of producing improved electrical conductor wire comprising:
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the strain hardened conductor product is heated at a temperature of from 500* to 750* F. to substantially completely relax said strain hardened condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
An improved electrical conductor product composed of an alloy consisting essentially of 0.25 to 0.5 percent copper, 0.05 to 0.20 percent magnesium, the balance being essentially aluminum with the following maximum limits on impurities: 0.10% Si, 0.25% Fe, 0.04% B, 0.05% Ga, 0.05% Zn, 0.01% Sn, 0.01% Ni, 0.005% Mn, 0.005% Cr, 0.005% Ti, 0.005% V and 0.005% Zr, said conductor exhibiting an electrical conductivity of at least 60 percent IACS and good compressive electrical connectability and good strength and flexibility properties.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1704253A
Cited
US2572562A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |