US5213638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surface modified copper alloys
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1992-01-30
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2012-01-30
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a composite copper alloy having a copper alloy core and a modified surface layer containing a nitride or carbide film. Alternatively, the modified surface layer may contain a carbo-nitride film. The alloy is formed by reacting a copper alloy with nitrogen, carbon or a nitrogen/carbon mixture at elevated temperatures. The resultant surface layer improves the tribological and mechanical properties of the alloy while maintaining useful electrical conductivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Deepak Mahulikar
- 👤 Brian Mravic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:54
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/48; C23C8/00; C23C8/80; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12882
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A composite copper alloy, comprising: a core Cu b X c Q; and a surface layer Q a C about 10 microns, where Q is at least one element which is both partially soluble in copper and reactive with carbon, X is at least one element partially soluble in copper and less reactive with carbon than Q, and "a" and "b" are each greater than the zero and "c" is at least zero".
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A composite copper alloy, comprising: a core Cu b X c Q; and a surface layer Q a C about 10 microns, where Q is at least one element which is both partially soluble in copper and reactive with carbon, X is at least one element partially soluble in copper and less reactive with carbon than Q, and "a" and "b" are each greater than the zero and "c" is at least zero".
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 1 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, beryllium, chromium, niobium, silicon, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 1 wherein X is selected from the group consisting of zinc, nickel, tin, cobalt, iron and manganese and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 1 wherein "c" is greater than zero.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 1 wherein "c" is equal to zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 3 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, beryllium and aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 5 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting aluminum, beryllium, chromium, iron, niobium, silicon, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 6 wherein the total concentration of Q in said core and surface layer is from about 1 to about 10 weight percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 7 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, beryllium and aluminum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 8 wherein said surface layer is a film Q a C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 9 wherein the total concentration of Q in said core and said surface layer is from about 1 to about 10 weight percent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 10 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 microns to about 2.5 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 11 wherein said surface layer is a film Q a C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 13 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 microns to about 2.5 microns.
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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) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |