Abstract A method of preparing a copper alloy is disclosed which comprises providing in the alloy about 0.8 - 2.3% iron and about 0.3 - 1.7% cobalt, such that the amount of iron plus cobalt ranges from about 1.5 - 2.5%, from about 5 - 13% zinc, balance essentially copper. The alloy is hot rolled at a temperature of at least 500*C, and cold rolled by a process which includes conducting at least one interanneal between successive cold reductions. The interanneal is conducted at temperatures ranging from about 400 to 600*C for a period of at least 15 minutes. Processing may also include a final anneal at a temperature of from 350 to 600*C conducted for at least 15 minutes. The novel alloy of this invention possesses a combination of strength and electrical conductivity which makes it a suitable replacement for the C.D.A. 400 series tin-brass alloys.
Inventors
👤 J Crane
👤 S Friedman
👤 M Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-02 12:53
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A METHOD OF PREPARING COPPER ALLOYS CONSISTIG ESSENTIALLY OF ABOUT 0.8-2.3% IRON AND ABOUT 0.3-1.7% COBALT, SUCH THAT THE AMOUNT OF IRON PLUS COBALT RANGES FROM ABOUT 1.5 TO 2.5%, FROM 5 TO 13% ZINC AND THE BALANCE ESSENTIALLY COPPER, TO PROVIDE IMPROVED STRENGTH, BEND PROPERTIES, AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES WHICH COMPRISES: A. HOT ROLLING THE ALLOY AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 500*C, BUT BELOW ITS MELTING TEMPERATURE; AND B. COLD ROLLING TO AT LEAST 505 COLD REDUCTION WHEREIN SAID COLD ROLLING INCLUDES SUCCESSIVE COLD REDUCTIONS AND AT LEAST ONE INTERNNEAL CONDUCTED THEREBETWEEN AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 400 TO 600*C FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A METHOD OF PREPARING COPPER ALLOYS CONSISTIG ESSENTIALLY OF ABOUT 0.8-2.3% IRON AND ABOUT 0.3-1.7% COBALT, SUCH THAT THE AMOUNT OF IRON PLUS COBALT RANGES FROM ABOUT 1.5 TO 2.5%, FROM 5 TO 13% ZINC AND THE BALANCE ESSENTIALLY COPPER, TO PROVIDE IMPROVED STRENGTH, BEND PROPERTIES, AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES WHICH COMPRISES: A. HOT ROLLING THE ALLOY AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 500*C, BUT BELOW ITS MELTING TEMPERATURE; AND B. COLD ROLLING TO AT LEAST 505 COLD REDUCTION WHEREIN SAID COLD ROLLING INCLUDES SUCCESSIVE COLD REDUCTIONS AND AT LEAST ONE INTERNNEAL CONDUCTED THEREBETWEEN AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 400 TO 600*C FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cold reduction conducted prior to the last interanneal yields a cross sectional area reduction of at least 50%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said interanneal is conducted at temperatures ranging from about 450 to 500*C for from 1 to 4 hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alloy is melted at a temperature of from about 1200 to 1300*C, and cast at a temperature such that the resultant mold temperature is at least 1175*C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to hot rolling, the alloy is soaked at a temperature of from 800 to 1000*C for a period of up to 1 hour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said alloy is soaked at a temperature of from 900 to 950*C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cold rolled alloy is finally annealed at a temperature of 350 - 600*C for at least 15 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the final anneal is conducted at a temperature of from 350 to 450*C for from 1 to 8 hours.