US5137685A
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Machinable copper alloys having reduced lead content
Assignee: GBC Metals LLC
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Filing: 1991-03-01
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2011-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Machinable copper alloys having a reduced lead concentration are disclosed. An additive to the alloy accumulates both at the grain boundaries and intragranularly. The additive facilitates chip fracture or lubricates the tool. One additive is a mixture of bismuth and lead with the lead concentration below about 2% by weight.
Inventors
- 👤 David D. McDevitt
- 👤 Jacob Crane
- 👤 John F. Breedis
- 👤 Ronald N. Caron
- 👤 Frank N. Mandigo
- 👤 Joseph Saleh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:13
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A reduced lead alloy, consisting essentially of: from about 30 percent to about 58 percent by weight zinc; from that amount effective to improve machinability up to about 5% by weight of an addition which includes bismuth and at least one element selected from the group consisting lead, cadmium, tin, indium, magnesium and tellurium; and the balance copper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A reduced lead alloy, consisting essentially of: from about 30 percent to about 58 percent by weight zinc; from that amount effective to improve machinability up to about 5% by weight of an addition which includes bismuth and at least one element selected from the group consisting lead, cadmium, tin, indium, magnesium and tellurium; and the balance copper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 1 wherein said zinc is present in a concentration of from about 30% to about 45% by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 2 wherein said zinc is present in a concentration of from about 32% to about 38% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 2 wherein said at least one element and said bismuth form a eutectic phase which constitutes at least about 50% of said addition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 4 wherein said eutectic phase constitutes at least about 90% of said addition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 4 wherein said of bismuth and said at least one element, the addition with a lower melting point is present in excess of the eutectic composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 4 wherein said addition includes lead in a concentration of less than about 2% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 4 wherein said addition includes a spheroidizing agent selected from the group consisting of antimony and tin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 4 wherein said addition includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of sulphur, tellurium and selenium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 7 wherein the concentration of bismuth by weight is greater than that of lead.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 7 wherein the concentration of bismuth by weight is about equal to that of lead.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reduced lead copper lead alloy of claim 8 wherein said spheroidizing agent is present in a concentration of from that effective to change the wetting angle up to about 2% by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 9 wherein said addition includes sulfur at a concentration of from that amount effective to improve machinability up to about 2% by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 13 wherein said sulfur is present in a concentration of from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 13 wherein said addition further includes at least one element from the group consisting of zirconium, manganese, magnesium, iron, nickel and mischmetal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A reduced lead copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from about 1.8% to about 5.0% by weight bismuth; and the balance copper.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A reduced lead copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from about 1.8% to about 5.0% by weight bismuth; and the balance copper.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 16 wherein said bismuth is present in a concentration of from about 1.8% to about 3.0% by weight.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 17 wherein said bismuth is present in a concentration of from about 1.8% to about 2.2% by weight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 18 further including up to about 2% by weight of a spheroidizing agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, antimony and tin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 18 further including up to about 2% by weight of at least one element selected from the group consisting of sulfur, tellurium and selenium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 20 wherein said at least one element is sulfur.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The reduced lead copper alloy of claim 21 further including at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, manganese, magnesium, iron, nickel and mischmetal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An essentially lead-free copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from about 1.8% to about 5.0% by weight bismuth; and the balance copper.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
An essentially lead-free copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from about 1.8% to about 5.0% by weight bismuth; and the balance copper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 23 wherein said bismuth is present in a concentration of from about 1.8% to about 3.0% by weight.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 24 further including up to about 2% by weight of a spheroidizing agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, antimony and tin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 23 further including up to about 2% by weight of at least one element selected from the group consisting of sulfur, tellurium and selenium.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 23 further including at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, manganese, magnesium, iron, nickel and mish metal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 24 wherein said bismuth is present in a concentration of from about 1.8% to about 2.2% by weight.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The essentially lead-free copper alloy of claim 26 wherein said at least one element is sulfur.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
73 words
A reduced lead copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from that amount effective to improve machinability up to about 5% by weight of an addition which includes bismuth and at least one element selected from the group consisting of cadmium, tin, indium, magnesium and tellurium; up to about 2% by weight of a spheroidizing agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, antimony and tin.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
A reduced lead copper alloy consisting essentially of: from about 30% to about 58% by weight zinc; from that amount effective to improve machinability up to about 5% by weight of an addition which includes bismuth and at least one element selected from the group consisting of cadmium, tin, indium, magnesium and tellurium; up to about 2% by weight of a spheroidizing agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous, antimony and tin.
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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) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |