US4434016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Precipitation hardenable copper alloy and process
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1983-02-18
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Granted: 1984-02-28
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Expires: 2003-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved copper base alloy for use in electrical springs and a process of treating the alloy provide improved resistance to stress relaxation when the alloy is in a solution treated and aged condition having a discontinuous precipitate. The alloy consists essentially of from about 10% to about 15% nickel, from about 1% to about 3% aluminum, up to about 1% manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% magnesium and the balance copper. The alloy is readily hot workable if held within a critical temperature range of from about 880 DEG C. to about 980 DEG C. prior to hot working.
Inventors
- 👤 Yousef Saleh
- 👤 John F. Breedis
- 👤 Jacob Crane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:00
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C9/06; C22C9/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A hot workable copper base alloy having improved strss relaxation resistance when subjected to discontinuous precipitation, said alloy consisting essentially of from about 10% to about 15% by weight nickel, from about 1% to about 3% by weight aluminum, up to about 1% by weight manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% by weight magnesium, less than about 0.05% by weight silicon and the balance copper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hot workable copper base alloy having improved strss relaxation resistance when subjected to discontinuous precipitation, said alloy consisting essentially of from about 10% to about 15% by weight nickel, from about 1% to about 3% by weight aluminum, up to about 1% by weight manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% by weight magnesium, less than about 0.05% by weight silicon and the balance copper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An alloy as in claim 1 wherein said nickel is from about 11.5% to about 12.5%, wherein said aluminum is from about 1.8% to about 2.3%, wherein said magnesium is from about 0.1% to about 0.3% and wherein said manganese is from about 0.2% to about 0.5%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An alloy as in claim 2 wherein said magnesium is from about 0.15% to about 0.25%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An alloy as in claim 3 wherein lead should be less than about 0.015%, zinc should be less than about 0.5% by weight, and phosphorous should be less than about 0.005%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An alloy as in claim 1 in the solution treated, quenched and aged condition, said alloy having a discontinuous type precipitate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An alloy as in claim 1 having improved cleanability, said alloy being in the strip annealed condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A process for treating a copper base alloy consisting essentially of from about 10% to about 15% by weight nickel, from about 1% to about 3% by weight aluminum, up to about 1% by weight manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% by weight magnesium, less than about 0.05% by weight silicon and the balance copper to provide improved stress relaxation resistance in the presence of a discontinuous type precipitate, said process comprising: holding said alloy at a temperature of from about 880° C. to about 980° C.; hot working said alloy; immediately following said hot working rapidly cooling said alloy; cold working said alloy up to a 90% reduction in thickness; solution treating said alloy at a metal temperature near or above the solvus of said alloy; cold working said alloy up to a 75% reduction in thickness; and aging said alloy at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 550° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A process for treating a copper base alloy consisting essentially of from about 10% to about 15% by weight nickel, from about 1% to about 3% by weight aluminum, up to about 1% by weight manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% by weight magnesium, less than about 0.05% by weight silicon and the balance copper to provide improved stress relaxation resistance in the presence of a discontinuous type precipitate, said process comprising: holding said alloy at a temperature of from about 880° C. to about 980° C.; hot working said alloy; immediately following said hot working rapidly cooling said alloy; cold working said alloy up to a 90% reduction in thickness; solution treating said alloy at a metal temperature near or above the solvus of said alloy; cold working said alloy up to a 75% reduction in thickness; and aging said alloy at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 550° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein said alloy is held at said temperature of from about 880° C. to about 980° C. prior to hot working for at least 30 minutes with at least about 11/2 hours total time in a furnace.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as in claim 8 wherein said temperature range is from about 950° C. to about 980° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as in claim 9 further including an intermediate anneal prior to said solution heat treatment step at a temperature above about 750° C. and further including an additional cold working step between said intermediate anneal and said solution heat treatment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as in claim 9 wherein said alloy is aged for from about 4 to about 24 hours.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as in claim 9 wherein said anneals comprise strip anneals and wherein following each of said strip anneals, said alloy is cleaned by immersion in a boiling caustic solution followed by immersion in a sulfuric acid solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process as in claim 7 wherein said nickel is from about 11.5% to about 12.5%, wherein said aluminum is from about 1.8 to about 2.3%, wherein said magnesium is from about 0.1% to about 0.3% and wherein said manganese is from about 0.2% to about 0.5%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as in claim 13 wherein said magnesium is from about 0.15% to about 0.25%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as in claim 14 wherein lead should be less than about 0.015%, zinc should be less than about 0.5% by weight, and phosphorous should be less than about 0.005%.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-27 | 1987-08-29 | 1988-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-27 | 1991-08-29 | 1992-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-08-29 | 1996-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |