US4059437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxygen-free copper product and process
Assignee: Phelps Dodge Industries Inc
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Filing: 1975-07-02
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1995-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved copper product and process of making it, wherein oxygen-free copper contains small amounts of manganese above normal impurity levels, and has enhanced grain size control during annealing, high electrical conductivity, and increased ductility as cast or fabricated. By adding approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million of manganese, the desired oxygen-free product has a minimum electrical conductivity of 100% I.A.C.S. By adding approximately 1 to approximately 50 parts per million of manganese, the desired oxygen-free product has a minimum electrical conductivity of 101% I.A.C.S. When at least approximately 30 parts per million of manganese are added to the oxygen-free copper, ductility is maximized. The manganese may be added at any convenient stage of producing the oxygen-free copper. The copper after annealing is free of or less subject to roughened surfaces or cracking.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald John Nesslage
- 👤 Lin Sheng Yu
- 👤 Michael Francis Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:08
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C9/05; H; H01; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/02; H01B1/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
An improved oxygen-free copper product consisting essentially of non-deoxidized oxygen-free copper containing normal impurities and manganese in addition from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, further characterized by having a minimum electrical conductivity of at least 100% I.A.C.S.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved oxygen-free copper product consisting essentially of non-deoxidized oxygen-free copper containing normal impurities and manganese in addition from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, further characterized by having a minimum electrical conductivity of at least 100% I.A.C.S.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the manganese in addition is no more than approximately 50 parts per million by weight, and the minimum electrical conductivity is at least 101% I.A.C.S.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the manganese in addition is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 2, wherein the manganese in addition is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the copper product has been cold worked and annealed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention defined in claim 2, wherein the copper product has been cold worked and annealed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the grain size of the product is relatively homogeneous and the product has a smooth surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention defined in claim 6, wherein the grain size of the product is relatively homogeneous and the product has a smooth surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process of providing an improved oxygen-free copper, wherein the copper is processed to be free from oxygen by conventional non-deoxidizing means, and manganese is added during the processing in an amount from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process of providing an improved oxygen-free copper, wherein the copper is processed to be free from oxygen by conventional non-deoxidizing means, and manganese is added during the processing in an amount from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 9, wherein the manganese added is no more than approximately 50 parts per million be weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 9, wherein the manganese added is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the manganese added is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention defined in claim 9, wherein the oxygen-free copper with added manganese is subsequently cold worked and annealed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the oxygen-free copper with added manganese is subsequently cold worked and annealed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
An improved oxygen-free copper product consisting essentially of non-deoxidized oxygen-free copper containing normal impurities and manganese in addition from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, further characterized by having been annealed, having a minimum electrical conductivity of at least 100% I.A.C.S., and having a controlled grain structure of relatively homogeneous grain sizes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
An improved oxygen-free copper product consisting essentially of non-deoxidized oxygen-free copper containing normal impurities and manganese in addition from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, further characterized by having been annealed, having a minimum electrical conductivity of at least 100% I.A.C.S., and having a controlled grain structure of relatively homogeneous grain sizes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention defined in claim 15, wherein the manganese in addition is no more than approximately 50 parts per million by weight, and the minimum electrical conductivity is at least 101% I.A.C.S.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 15, wherein the manganese in addition is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 16, wherein the manganese in addition is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process of controlling grain size during annealing in oxygen-free copper to obtain relatively homogeneous grain sizes, wherein the copper is processed to be free from oxygen by conventional non-deoxidizing means, manganese is added in an amount from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, and the copper is annealed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process of controlling grain size during annealing in oxygen-free copper to obtain relatively homogeneous grain sizes, wherein the copper is processed to be free from oxygen by conventional non-deoxidizing means, manganese is added in an amount from approximately 1 to approximately 100 parts per million by weight, and the copper is annealed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 19, wherein the manganese added is no more than approximately 50 parts per million by weight.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 19, wherein the manganese added is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention defined in claim 20, wherein the manganese added is at least approximately 30 parts per million by weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |