US4589938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single phase copper-nickel-aluminum-alloys
Assignee: Revere Copper Products Inc
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Filing: 1984-07-16
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2004-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Novel gold colored copper alloy compositions of single phase crystal structure possessing a combination of good cold and hot workability, excellent ductility and excellent corrosion, pitting, and tarnishing resistance. The compositions contain between about 0.5 and 4 weight percent nickel, between about 0.5 and 3.8 weight percent aluminum, and up to about 1.3 weight percent iron with the balance being copper. Additions of up to 0.5 weight percent, of manganese, silicon, zinc, tin lead, individually or any combination thereof, also contribute to or maintain the improved properties of the present invention. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for imparting the above-described properties to a copper alloy, the non-tarnishing pitting resistant, gold colored sheets strip, wire, and like products made from such compositions, and an articles suitable for use as architectural members, jewelry, electrical connectors or heat exchanger/condenser tubing stock.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph W. Drosdick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:07
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C9/06; C22C9/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A copper alloy composition consisting essentially of nickel in an amount above 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent; aluminum in an amount above 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent; iron in an effective amount to stabilize the alloy during hot working or heat treating operations up to about 1.3 weight percent; and less than 0.5 weight percent of one or more of manganese, silicon, tin, zinc, and lead; with the balance being at least about 88 weight percent copper; said composition having a single phase crystal structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A copper alloy composition consisting essentially of nickel in an amount above 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent; aluminum in an amount above 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent; iron in an effective amount to stabilize the alloy during hot working or heat treating operations up to about 1.3 weight percent; and less than 0.5 weight percent of one or more of manganese, silicon, tin, zinc, and lead; with the balance being at least about 88 weight percent copper; said composition having a single phase crystal structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition according to claim 1 wherein the iron content is between about 1.1 and 1.3 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the nickel content ranges from about 3.5 to less than 4 weight percent, the aluminum content ranges from about 3.3 to less than 3.8 weight percent, and the iron content ranges between about 1.1 and about 1.3 weight percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A copper alloy composition consisting of nickel in an amount above about 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent; aluminum in an amount above about 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent; iron in an amount between about 1.1 and 1.3 weight percent; less than 0.5 weight percent of one or more of manganese, silicon, tin, zinc and lead; and copper in an amount of at least about 88 weight percent; said composition having a single phase crystal structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A copper alloy composition consisting of nickel in an amount above about 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent; aluminum in an amount above about 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent; iron in an amount between about 1.1 and 1.3 weight percent; less than 0.5 weight percent of one or more of manganese, silicon, tin, zinc and lead; and copper in an amount of at least about 88 weight percent; said composition having a single phase crystal structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The composition of claim 4 wherein the nickel content ranges from about 3.5 to less than 4 weight percent and the aluminum content ranges from about 3.3 to less than 3.8 weight percent.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for imparting a gold color to a copper alloy which comprises mixing into copper above 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent nickel; above 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent aluminum; and iron in an amount sufficient to stabilize the alloy during hot working or heat treating operations up to about 1.3 weight percent to provide an alloy having a copper content of at least about 88 weight percent and a single phase crystal structure, said structure providing high strength, excellent ductility, improved pitting and tarnishing resistance, and a gold color.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for imparting a gold color to a copper alloy which comprises mixing into copper above 0.5 and less than 4 weight percent nickel; above 0.5 and less than 3.8 weight percent aluminum; and iron in an amount sufficient to stabilize the alloy during hot working or heat treating operations up to about 1.3 weight percent to provide an alloy having a copper content of at least about 88 weight percent and a single phase crystal structure, said structure providing high strength, excellent ductility, improved pitting and tarnishing resistance, and a gold color.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 6 which further comprises mixing into said composition an amount of up to about 0.5 weight percent of at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of manganese, silicon, zinc, tin, and lead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the iron content is between about 1.1 and 1.3 weight percent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gold-colored copper alloy of single phase crystal structure produced in accordance with the method of claim 6.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gold-colored copper alloy of single phase crystal structure produced in accordance with the method of claim 7.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gold-colored copper alloy of single phase crystal structure produced in accordance with the method of claim 8.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
Non-tarnishing, pitting resistant, gold-colored copper alloy sheet, strip, wire, tube, and like products comprising the copper alloy of claim 1 having a single phase crystal structure, said crystal structure providing the previously-described properties along with good strength and excellent ductility.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
Non-tarnishing, pitting resistant, gold-colored copper alloy sheet, strip, wire, tube, and like products comprising the copper alloy according to claim 4, said alloy having a single phase crystal structure which provides the previously-described properties along with good strength and ductility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An article suitable for use in jewelry or as architectural members, appliance parts, electrical connectors, or heat exchanger/condenser tubing stock which is comprised of a copper alloy composition according to claim 1 and which is further rolled, cut, stamped, formed, machined, or otherwise fabricated into a desired shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
An article suitable for use in jewelry or as architectural members, appliance parts, electrical connectors, or heat exchanger/condenser tubing stock which is comprised of a copper alloy composition according to claim 4 and which is further rolled, cut, stamped, formed, machined, or otherwise fabricated into a desired shape.
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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) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |