US5320689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface modified copper alloys
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-01
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2013-03-01
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
2026-11-02 21:45
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C8/00; C23C8/80; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12576; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A composite copper alloy, comprising: a core having the formula Cu b Q; and a carbo-nitride surface layer with a thickness of from about 10 angstroms to about 10 microns, where Q is at least one element which is both partially soluble in copper and reactive with carbon and "b" is greater than zero but less than 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A composite copper alloy, comprising: a core having the formula Cu b Q; and a carbo-nitride surface layer with a thickness of from about 10 angstroms to about 10 microns, where Q is at least one element which is both partially soluble in copper and reactive with carbon and "b" is greater than zero but less than 1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 1 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, beryllium, chromium, iron, niobium, silicon, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 2 wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, beryllium, aluminum and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 2 where "b" is from 0.97 to 0.99.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 3 wherein the total concentration of Q in said core and surface layer is from about 1 to 10 weight percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 3, wherein "b" is from 0.9 to 0.995.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 5 wherein said surface layer is a film Q a CN and "a" is greater than zero but less than 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite copper alloy of claim 7 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 microns to about 2.5 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The composite alloy of claim 7 further including an alloying addition, X, such that said core has the formula Cu b X c Q where X is selected from the group consisting of zinc, nickel, tin, cobalt, iron, manganese or a combination thereof and "b"+"c" is greater than zero but less than 1.
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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) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |