US3928028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grain refinement of copper alloys by phosphide inoculation
Assignee: Olin Corp
•
Filing: 1974-04-05
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1994-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of refining as-cast grain size of copper alloys by inoculation of the melt, prior to or during pouring, by addition of phosphorus and a transition metal such as zirconium. Certain parameters of the inoculation and casting process are critical. In particular, the melt with a P content of 0.002 to 1.0% is stirred at 20* to 200*C above the liquidus, then 0.002 to 0.5% of a transition metal such as Zr is stirred into the melt, and finally within a period of 10 minutes or less, the alloy must be poured and solidified. Through the synergistic action of P and Zr, the resulting cast ingot is then characterized by advantages such as improved uniformity, absence of columnar crystals, and finer equiaxed grains, which help prevent difficulties in further processing of the alloy.
Inventors
- 👤 John C Yarwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:29
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C1/00; C22C1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF CASTING MOLTEN COPPER BASE ALLOYS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. PROVIDING A MELT OF COPPER BASE ALLOY WITH A CONTENT 0.002 TO 0.5% PHOSPHORUS AT A TEMPERATURE OF 20* 200*C. ABOVE THE LIQUIDS; B. THEN STIRRING INTO SAID MELT AT SAID TEMPERATURE 0.002 TO 1.0% OF A TRANSITION METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ZR, HF, TI, V, CR, MN AND MIXTURES THEREOF; AND C. THEN POURING THE MOLTEN ALLOY SAID TEMPERATURE INTO A COOLED MOLD WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER THE SAID ADDITION OF TRANSITION METAL, THEREBY FORMING A SOLIDIFIED UNIFORM INGOT OF FINE GRAIN SIZE WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF SAID TRANSITION METAL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF CASTING MOLTEN COPPER BASE ALLOYS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. PROVIDING A MELT OF COPPER BASE ALLOY WITH A CONTENT 0.002 TO 0.5% PHOSPHORUS AT A TEMPERATURE OF 20* 200*C. ABOVE THE LIQUIDS; B. THEN STIRRING INTO SAID MELT AT SAID TEMPERATURE 0.002 TO 1.0% OF A TRANSITION METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ZR, HF, TI, V, CR, MN AND MIXTURES THEREOF; AND C. THEN POURING THE MOLTEN ALLOY SAID TEMPERATURE INTO A COOLED MOLD WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER THE SAID ADDITION OF TRANSITION METAL, THEREBY FORMING A SOLIDIFIED UNIFORM INGOT OF FINE GRAIN SIZE WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF SAID TRANSITION METAL.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the phosphorus content is 0.02 to 0.2%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the amount of said transition metal is 0.02 to 0.2%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the said melt is maintained during steps A and B at a temperature of 20* to 60*C above the liquidus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the said melt is poured within 1 minute after step B.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the said copper base alloy contains tin.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim wherein the said transition metal is zirconium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the said sequential steps are effected in continuous manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the said ingots are characterized by the substantial absence of columnar grains.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the said ingots are characterized by fine equiaxed grains having an average size less than one-tenth of that resulting from the identical sequential steps in the substantial absence of said transition metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2066512A
Cited
US2123628A
Cited
US2123629A
Cited
US2268938A
Cited
US2268940A
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US2847303A
Cited
US3162529A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |