EP0349515A2 - Composite copper-based material for electric contacts under heavy stress, method of manufacturing this material and electric contacts made therefrom - Google Patents

Composite copper-based material for electric contacts under heavy stress, method of manufacturing this material and electric contacts made therefrom Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0349515A2
EP0349515A2 EP89870101A EP89870101A EP0349515A2 EP 0349515 A2 EP0349515 A2 EP 0349515A2 EP 89870101 A EP89870101 A EP 89870101A EP 89870101 A EP89870101 A EP 89870101A EP 0349515 A2 EP0349515 A2 EP 0349515A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
copper
composite material
material according
reinforcing component
electric contacts
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EP89870101A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0349515A3 (en
Inventor
Dimitri Coutsouradis
Armand Davin
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Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques CRM ASBL
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Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques CRM ASBL
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Publication of EP0349515A3 publication Critical patent/EP0349515A3/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/02—Contacts characterised by the material thereof
    • H01H1/021—Composite material
    • H01H1/025—Composite material having copper as the basic material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to copper-based composite materials for highly stressed electrical contacts. It also relates to methods of manufacturing such materials, as well as to highly stressed electrical contact members produced from this composite material.
  • the electrical contact members must have not only a high electrical conductivity, but also good mechanical resistance, in particular to compression, both at ambient temperature and at high temperature. These conditions relate in particular to the tools used in spot welding, such as electrodes or rollers, which must at the same time admit high current densities without overheating excessively and withstanding the high pressures imposed to ensure welding.
  • the electrical contact members must have as wide a metallurgical inertia as possible with respect to the metal constituting the parts with which they are brought into contact. Spot welding of bare steel sheets does not pose any major problems in this regard. On the other hand, in the increasingly frequent case of welding of galvanized sheets, there is a diffusion of zinc in the copper alloy; this leads to rapid degradation of the contact member as a result of the formation, at the end of this member, of various copper-zinc alloys whose electrical conductivity is poor and whose mechanical properties are poor.
  • copper alloys have long been used containing small amounts of certain hardening elements, in particular cadmium, chromium or zirconium.
  • the mechanical resistance of these alloys at room temperature is increased compared to that of pure copper, either thermally, namely by precipitation hardening, or mechanically, namely by work hardening.
  • the mechanical resistance when hot is poor, however, and the electrical conductivity is significantly reduced by the presence of the hardening elements.
  • these alloys are very sensitive to the degradation resulting from the diffusion of zinc during the assembly by resistance of galvanized sheets.
  • Copper alloys hardened by dispersion of inert oxides such as zinc or aluminum oxides are also known. These alloys are manufactured by fusion, atomization in powder, internal oxidation of powders, consolidation by extrusion and cold work hardening by drawing.
  • the alumina dispersion guarantees remarkable stability of the mechanical properties when hot.
  • the electrical conductivity of this alloy is however lower than that of copper.
  • this type of material does not provide a remedy for the problem of contamination of the contact member by zinc from a galvanized sheet.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide alloys and composite materials based on copper which do not have the aforementioned drawbacks in terms of mechanical, electrical and metallurgical properties. Another object of the invention is to propose methods of manufacturing these alloys and these composite materials. Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for improving the metallurgical inertia of a copper contact member with respect to zinc or a zinc alloy originating from a galvanized part.
  • a copper-based composite material for highly stressed electrical contacts is characterized in that it contains at least one reinforcing component dispersed in the copper matrix.
  • the reinforcement component can take various forms; a composite material according to the invention may moreover contain several reinforcing elements and / or components having different shapes.
  • this reinforcing component can consist of one or more oxides stable with respect to copper, such as yttrium (Y2O3) or aluminum (Al2O3) oxides, which form a dispersion hardening in the copper matrix.
  • Y2O3 yttrium
  • Al2O3 aluminum
  • the proportion of these oxides is preferably between 2% and 5% by volume, but it can be between 1 and 10% by volume without departing from the scope of the invention; these latter values mark markedly the limits beyond which the effects of the dispersion of oxides are no longer clearly perceptible.
  • the copper-based alloys thus hardened by oxide dispersion have a high resistance to recrystallization, a high mechanical resistance to hot, as well as a very high electrical conductivity, close to that of pure copper.
  • this reinforcing component can consist of one or more elements poorly soluble in copper, such as chromium and zirconium, which give rise to additional hardening by precipitation.
  • this reinforcing component can be constituted by short fibers, made of materials stable with respect to copper, distributed in the copper matrix, such as fibers of Al2O de or silicon carbide (Sic).
  • fibers By short fibers is meant fibers whose diameter is not greater than 50 ⁇ m and whose length is between 0.1 and 2 mm.
  • the proportion of these short fibers in the composite material is between 5 and 25% by volume to ensure high mechanical strength, both at room temperature and at high temperature, as well as very good electrical conductivity.
  • a preferential proportion of 12 to 20% by volume has proved particularly favorable for obtaining a high metallurgical inertia of the composite material with respect to zinc.
  • a composite material according to the invention can contain at the same time a dispersion of oxides and short fibers in a copper matrix.
  • the composite material thus benefits from the combination of hardening of the copper matrix by dispersion of oxides and of its reinforcement by short fibers.
  • the composite materials which have just been described are preferably produced by particular methods which constitute another aspect of the present invention.
  • a mechanical alloy of a copper powder or copper alloy and of at least one reinforcing component is produced.
  • mechanical alloy is meant here the mixture of constituents in the solid state in any suitable device, for example a ball mill or a vibrating mill, for a sufficient time to ensure dispersion.
  • the mixing time is advantageously between 1 h and 48 h, preferably between 4 and 24 h, depending on the particle size of the initial powders.
  • the mixture thus obtained is preferably consolidated by hot extrusion, then stretched for the manufacture of electrical contact members.
  • the principle of mechanical alloying is also applicable; in this case, however, a mixer is used instead of a grinder, so as not to destroy the short fibers.
  • a molten charge of copper or copper alloy is prepared, oxides and / or short fibers are added to it in an appropriate quantity, the molten bath is stirred to ensure the dispersion of said components and said charge is poured into ingots which are then rapidly solidified. In general, the ingots are then extruded and optionally drawn.
  • the copper-based composite materials according to the present invention have excellent mechanical resistance, both at ambient temperature and at high temperature, as well as an extremely high electrical conductivity, often close to that of pure copper.
  • the metallurgical inertia of these materials is also very good, which prolongs their life in appreciable proportions.
  • a major advantage lies in the fact that they make it possible to choose, independently of one another, the copper-based matrix and the reinforcing elements and / or components.
  • the mixture was ground for 24 h in an attritor with carbide balls, under scanning of argon.
  • the quantity of beads used was 10 kg for 2 kg of copper powder; the argon was of the quality known as "welded argon" known under the name N39.
  • the ground powder was poured into copper containers with an outside diameter of 80 mm and a wall thickness of 5 mm; these are closed by copper plugs to maintain the filling.
  • the containers are preheated to 800 ° C for 1 hour in an air oven and extruded with a liner of bars of approximately 13 mm in diameter. After extrusion and at room temperature, the diameter of the bars is 13 mm. The bars were then subjected to cold deformation by shrinking, in 6 passes, causing a reduction in section of about 48%.
  • the resistance of the material to recrystallization was determined by hardness measurements after exposure for 1 h at various temperatures up to 760 ° C.
  • the hardness of the material amounted, after exposure for 1 h at 760 ° C, to 64 Rb.
  • the hardness of a conventional copper alloy C 18200 (Cu - 1% Cr) was only 10 Rb.
  • Example 1 Copper powders and short SiC fibers, 12% by volume, were mixed for 8 h in a vibrating mill. The mixture obtained was consolidated by extrusion and then cold-worked under the same conditions as in Example 1. The thermal stability of the bars obtained was determined as in Example 1.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Alloys Or Alloy Compounds (AREA)
  • Conductive Materials (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)

Abstract

Composite copper-based material for electric contacts under heavy stress, containing at least one reinforcing component dispersed in the copper matrix. This reinforcing component comprises one or more oxides which are stable with regard to copper, such as Al2O3 and Y2O3, which preferably form a stiffening dispersion in the copper matrix. The reinforcing component can also comprise short fibres consisting of substances which are stable with regard to copper, such as Al2O3 and SiC. The oxide content lies between 1 % and 10 % by volume; the proportion of the said short fibres lies between 5 % and 25 % by volume.

Description

La présente invention concerne des matériaux composites à base de cuivre pour contacts électriques fortement sollicités. Elle porte également sur des procédés de fabrication de tels matériaux, ainsi que sur des organes de contact électrique fortement sollicités réalisés à partir de ce matériau composite.The present invention relates to copper-based composite materials for highly stressed electrical contacts. It also relates to methods of manufacturing such materials, as well as to highly stressed electrical contact members produced from this composite material.

On sait que le cuivre et les alliages de cuivre sont les métaux le plus largement utilisés pour la fabrication d'éléments conducteurs de l'électricité, à cause précisément de leur excellente conductibilité électrique et aussi de leur prix de revient relativement modéré.It is known that copper and copper alloys are the most widely used metals for the manufacture of electrically conductive elements, precisely because of their excellent electrical conductivity and also of their relatively moderate cost price.

Dans de nombreuses applications, les organes de contact électrique doivent présenter non seulement une conductibilité électrique élevée, mais également une bonne résistance mécanique, en particulier à la compression, aussi bien à la température ambiante qu'à haute température. Ces conditions concernent notamment les outils utilisés dans la soudure par points, tels que les électrodes ou les roulettes, qui doivent en même temps admettre de fortes densités de courant sans s'échauffer exagérément et supporter les pressions élevées imposées pour assurer la soudure.In many applications, the electrical contact members must have not only a high electrical conductivity, but also good mechanical resistance, in particular to compression, both at ambient temperature and at high temperature. These conditions relate in particular to the tools used in spot welding, such as electrodes or rollers, which must at the same time admit high current densities without overheating excessively and withstanding the high pressures imposed to ensure welding.

De plus, les organes de contact électrique doivent présenter une inertie métallurgique aussi large que possible à l'égard du métal constituant les pièces avec lesquelles ils sont mis en contact. La soudure par points de tôles d'acier nues ne pose à cet égard pas de problèmes majeurs. En revanche, dans le cas de plus en plus fréquent de la soudure de tôles galvanisées, il se produit une diffusion de zinc dans l'alliage de cuivre; cela conduit à une dégradation rapide de l'organe de contact par suite de la formation, à l'extrémité de cet organe, de divers alliages cuivre-zinc dont la conductibilité électrique est mauvaise et dont les propriétés mécaniques sont médiocres.In addition, the electrical contact members must have as wide a metallurgical inertia as possible with respect to the metal constituting the parts with which they are brought into contact. Spot welding of bare steel sheets does not pose any major problems in this regard. On the other hand, in the increasingly frequent case of welding of galvanized sheets, there is a diffusion of zinc in the copper alloy; this leads to rapid degradation of the contact member as a result of the formation, at the end of this member, of various copper-zinc alloys whose electrical conductivity is poor and whose mechanical properties are poor.

Pour la fabrication d'organes de contact électrique fortement solli­cités tels que ceux qui viennent d'être mentionnés, on utilise depuis longtemps des alliages de cuivre contenant de faibles quantités de certains éléments durcissants, notamment le cadmium, le chrome ou le zirconium. La résistance mécanique de ces alliages à la température ambiante est augmentée par rapport à celle du cuivre pur, soit par voie thermique, à savoir par durcissement par précipitation, soit par voie mécanique, à savoir par écrouissage. La résistance mécanique à chaud est cependant médiocre, et la conductibilité électrique est sensiblement réduite par la présence des éléments durcissants. Enfin, ces alliages sont très sensibles à la dégradation résultant de la diffusion de zinc lors de l'assemblage par résistance de tôles galvanisées.For the manufacture of highly stressed electrical contact members such as those which have just been mentioned, copper alloys have long been used containing small amounts of certain hardening elements, in particular cadmium, chromium or zirconium. The mechanical resistance of these alloys at room temperature is increased compared to that of pure copper, either thermally, namely by precipitation hardening, or mechanically, namely by work hardening. The mechanical resistance when hot is poor, however, and the electrical conductivity is significantly reduced by the presence of the hardening elements. Finally, these alloys are very sensitive to the degradation resulting from the diffusion of zinc during the assembly by resistance of galvanized sheets.

On connaît également des alliages de cuivre durcis par dispersion d'oxydes inertes tels que des oxydes de zinc ou d'aluminium. Ces alliages sont fabriqués par fusion, atomisation en poudre, oxydation interne des poudres, consolidation par extrusion et écrouissage à froid par étirage. La dispersion d'alumine garantit une remarquable stabilité des propriétés mécaniques à chaud. La conductibilité élec­trique de cet alliage est cependant plus faible que celle du cuivre. De plus, ce type de matériau n'apporte pas de remède au problème de la contamination de l'organe de contact par le zinc provenant d'une tôle galvanisée.Copper alloys hardened by dispersion of inert oxides such as zinc or aluminum oxides are also known. These alloys are manufactured by fusion, atomization in powder, internal oxidation of powders, consolidation by extrusion and cold work hardening by drawing. The alumina dispersion guarantees remarkable stability of the mechanical properties when hot. The electrical conductivity of this alloy is however lower than that of copper. In addition, this type of material does not provide a remedy for the problem of contamination of the contact member by zinc from a galvanized sheet.

La présente invention a pour objet de proposer des alliages et des matériaux composites à base de cuivre qui ne présentent pas les incon­vénients précités en matière de propriétés mécaniques, électriques et métallurgiques. Un autre objet de l'invention est de proposer des pro­cédés de fabrication de ces alliages et de ces matériaux composites. Enfin, la présente invention porte également sur un procédé pour améliorer l'inertie métallurgique d'un organe de contact en cuivre à l'égard du zinc ou d'un alliage de zinc provenant d'une pièce galvanisée.The object of the present invention is to provide alloys and composite materials based on copper which do not have the aforementioned drawbacks in terms of mechanical, electrical and metallurgical properties. Another object of the invention is to propose methods of manufacturing these alloys and these composite materials. Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for improving the metallurgical inertia of a copper contact member with respect to zinc or a zinc alloy originating from a galvanized part.

Conformément à l'invention, un matériau composite à base de cuivre pour contacts électriques fortement sollicités, est caractérisé en ce qu'il contient au moins un composant de renforcement dispersé dans la matrice de cuivre.According to the invention, a copper-based composite material for highly stressed electrical contacts, is characterized in that it contains at least one reinforcing component dispersed in the copper matrix.

Dans le cadre de l'invention, le composant de renforcement peut prendre diverses formes; un matériau composite conforme à l'invention peut d'ailleurs contenir plusieurs éléments et/ou composants de renforcement présentant des formes différentes.In the context of the invention, the reinforcement component can take various forms; a composite material according to the invention may moreover contain several reinforcing elements and / or components having different shapes.

Selon une première forme de réalisation, ce composant de renforcement peut être constitué par un ou plusieurs oxydes stables vis-à-vis du cuivre, tels que les oxydes d'yttrium (Y₂O₃) ou d'aluminium (Al₂O₃), qui forment une dispersion durcissante dans la matrice du cuivre.According to a first embodiment, this reinforcing component can consist of one or more oxides stable with respect to copper, such as yttrium (Y₂O₃) or aluminum (Al₂O₃) oxides, which form a dispersion hardening in the copper matrix.

La proportion de ces oxydes est de préférence comprise entre 2 % et 5 % en volume, mais elle peut être comprise entre 1 et 10 % en volume sans sortir du cadre de l'invention; ces dernières valeurs marquent sensiblement les limites au-delà desquelles les effets de la dispersion d'oxydes ne sont plus nettement perceptibles. Les alliages à base de cuivre ainsi durcis par dispersion d'oxydes présentent une résistance élevée à la recristallisation, une haute résistance mécanique à chaud, ainsi qu'une conductibilité électrique très élevée, proche de celle du cuivre pur.The proportion of these oxides is preferably between 2% and 5% by volume, but it can be between 1 and 10% by volume without departing from the scope of the invention; these latter values mark markedly the limits beyond which the effects of the dispersion of oxides are no longer clearly perceptible. The copper-based alloys thus hardened by oxide dispersion have a high resistance to recrystallization, a high mechanical resistance to hot, as well as a very high electrical conductivity, close to that of pure copper.

Selon une autre forme de réalisation, ce composant de renforcement peut être constitué par un ou plusieurs éléments peu solubles dans le cuivre, tels que le chrome et le zirconium, qui donnent lieu à un durcissement supplémentaire par précipitation.According to another embodiment, this reinforcing component can consist of one or more elements poorly soluble in copper, such as chromium and zirconium, which give rise to additional hardening by precipitation.

Selon encore une autre forme de réalisation, ce composant de ren­forcement peut être constitué par des fibres courtes, constituées de matériaux stables vis-à-vis du cuivre, réparties dans la matrice de cuivre, telles que des fibres de Al₂O₃ ou de carbure de silicium (Sic).According to yet another embodiment, this reinforcing component can be constituted by short fibers, made of materials stable with respect to copper, distributed in the copper matrix, such as fibers of Al₂O de or silicon carbide (Sic).

Par fibres courtes, il faut entendre des fibres dont le diamètre n'est pas supérieur à 50 µm et dont la longueur est comprise entre 0,1 et 2 mm.By short fibers is meant fibers whose diameter is not greater than 50 µm and whose length is between 0.1 and 2 mm.

Avantageusement, la proportion de ces fibres courtes dans le matériau composite est comprise entre 5 et 25 % en volume pour assurer une résistance mécanique élevée, tant à la température ambiante qu'à haute température, ainsi qu'une très bonne conductibilité électrique. Une proportion préférentielle de 12 à 20 % en volume s'est avérée particu­lièrement favorable à l'obtention d'une inertie métallurgique élevée du matériau composite à l'égard du zinc.Advantageously, the proportion of these short fibers in the composite material is between 5 and 25% by volume to ensure high mechanical strength, both at room temperature and at high temperature, as well as very good electrical conductivity. A preferential proportion of 12 to 20% by volume has proved particularly favorable for obtaining a high metallurgical inertia of the composite material with respect to zinc.

Comme on l'a déjà indiqué plus haut, un matériau composite conforme à l'invention peut contenir en même temps une dispersion d'oxydes et de fibres courtes dans une matrice de cuivre. Le matériau composite bénéficie ainsi de la combinaison du durcissement de la matrice de cuivre par dispersion d'oxydes et de son renforcement par les fibres courtes.As already indicated above, a composite material according to the invention can contain at the same time a dispersion of oxides and short fibers in a copper matrix. The composite material thus benefits from the combination of hardening of the copper matrix by dispersion of oxides and of its reinforcement by short fibers.

Les matériaux composites qui viennent d'être décrits sont de préférence réalisés par des procédés particuliers qui constituent un autre aspect de la présente invention.The composite materials which have just been described are preferably produced by particular methods which constitute another aspect of the present invention.

Suivant un premier mode de mise en oeuvre, on réalise un alliage mécanique d'une poudre de cuivre ou d'alliage de cuivre et d'au moins un composant de renforcement.According to a first embodiment, a mechanical alloy of a copper powder or copper alloy and of at least one reinforcing component is produced.

Par alliage mécanique, on entend ici le mélange de constituants à l'état solide dans tout appareil approprié, par exemple un broyeur à boulets ou un broyeur vibrant, pendant une durée suffisante pour assurer la dispersion.By mechanical alloy is meant here the mixture of constituents in the solid state in any suitable device, for example a ball mill or a vibrating mill, for a sufficient time to ensure dispersion.

Dans le cas d'un alliage durci par dispersion d'oxydes, la durée de mélange est avantageusement comprise entre 1 h et 48 h, de préférence entre 4 et 24 h, selon la granulométrie des poudres initiales.In the case of an alloy hardened by dispersion of oxides, the mixing time is advantageously between 1 h and 48 h, preferably between 4 and 24 h, depending on the particle size of the initial powders.

Le mélange ainsi obtenu est de préférence consolidé par extrusion à chaud, puis étiré en vue de la fabrication d'organes de contact électrique.The mixture thus obtained is preferably consolidated by hot extrusion, then stretched for the manufacture of electrical contact members.

Pour préparer un matériau contenant des fibres courtes, le principe de l'alliage mécanique est également applicable; dans ce cas cependant, on utilise un mélangeur au lieu d'un broyeur, afin de ne pas détruire les fibres courtes.To prepare a material containing short fibers, the principle of mechanical alloying is also applicable; in this case, however, a mixer is used instead of a grinder, so as not to destroy the short fibers.

Suivant un autre mode de mise en oeuvre, on prépare une charge fondue de cuivre ou d'alliage de cuivre, on lui ajoute les oxydes et/ou les fibres courtes en quantité appropriée, on agite le bain fondu pour assurer la dispersion desdits composants et on coule ladite charge en lingotins dont on provoque ensuite la solidification rapide. En général, les lingotins sont ensuite extrudés et éventuellement étirés.According to another mode of implementation, a molten charge of copper or copper alloy is prepared, oxides and / or short fibers are added to it in an appropriate quantity, the molten bath is stirred to ensure the dispersion of said components and said charge is poured into ingots which are then rapidly solidified. In general, the ingots are then extruded and optionally drawn.

Les matériaux composites à base de cuivre conformes à la présente invention possèdent une excellente résistance mécanique, tant à la température ambiante qu'à haute température, ainsi qu'une conductibilité électrique extrêmement élevée, souvent proche de celle du cuivre pur. L'inertie métallurgique de ces matériaux est également très bonne, ce qui prolonge leur durée de vie dans des proportions sensibles.The copper-based composite materials according to the present invention have excellent mechanical resistance, both at ambient temperature and at high temperature, as well as an extremely high electrical conductivity, often close to that of pure copper. The metallurgical inertia of these materials is also very good, which prolongs their life in appreciable proportions.

En ce qui concerne les procédés de fabrication de ces alliages et matériaux composites, conformément à l'invention, un avantage majeur réside dans le fait qu'ils permettent de choisir, indépendamment l'un de l'autre, la matrice à base de cuivre et les éléments et/ou composants de renforcement.As regards the methods of manufacturing these alloys and composite materials, in accordance with the invention, a major advantage lies in the fact that they make it possible to choose, independently of one another, the copper-based matrix and the reinforcing elements and / or components.

Les exemples qui suivent montrent le niveau des propriétés des matériaux conformes à l'invention.The following examples show the level of properties of the materials according to the invention.

Exemple 1.Example 1.

On a mélangé 2 kg de poudre de cuivre et 30 g de poudre de Y₂O₃ pen­dant 5 h dans un mélangeur ayant la forme d'un cube mobile, de manière à créer une répartition sensiblement uniforme des particules.2 kg of copper powder and 30 g of Y₂O₃ powder were mixed for 5 h in a mixer in the form of a mobile cube, so as to create a substantially uniform distribution of the particles.

Après cette opération, le mélange a été broyé pendant 24 h dans un attritor avec des billes de carbure, sous balayage d'argon. La quantité de billes utilisée était de 10 kg pour 2 kg de poudre de cuivre; l'argon était de la qualité dite "argon de soudure" connue sous la dénomination N39.After this operation, the mixture was ground for 24 h in an attritor with carbide balls, under scanning of argon. The quantity of beads used was 10 kg for 2 kg of copper powder; the argon was of the quality known as "welded argon" known under the name N39.

La poudre broyée a été versée dans des conteneurs en cuivre d'un diamètre extérieur de 80 mm et d'une épaisseur de paroi de 5 mm; ces derniers sont fermés par des bouchons en cuivre permettant de maintenir le remplissage.The ground powder was poured into copper containers with an outside diameter of 80 mm and a wall thickness of 5 mm; these are closed by copper plugs to maintain the filling.

Les conteneurs sont préchauffés à 800 °C pendant 1 h, dans un four à l'air, et extrudés avec chemise en barres d'environ 13 mm de diamètre. Après extrusion et à la température ambiante, le diamètre des barres est de 13 mm. Les barres ont ensuite subi une déformation à froid par rétreinte, en 6 passes, provoquant une réduction de section d'environ 48 %.The containers are preheated to 800 ° C for 1 hour in an air oven and extruded with a liner of bars of approximately 13 mm in diameter. After extrusion and at room temperature, the diameter of the bars is 13 mm. The bars were then subjected to cold deformation by shrinking, in 6 passes, causing a reduction in section of about 48%.

La résistance du matériau à la recristallisation a été déterminée par des mesures de dureté après une exposition pendant 1 h à diverses températures allant jusque 760 °C. La dureté du matériau s'élevait, après exposition pendant 1 h à 760 °C, à 64 Rb. Dans les mêmes conditions d'exposition, la dureté d'un alliage de cuivre conventionnel C 18200 (Cu - 1 % Cr) n'était que 10 Rb.The resistance of the material to recrystallization was determined by hardness measurements after exposure for 1 h at various temperatures up to 760 ° C. The hardness of the material amounted, after exposure for 1 h at 760 ° C, to 64 Rb. Under the same exposure conditions, the hardness of a conventional copper alloy C 18200 (Cu - 1% Cr) was only 10 Rb.

Exemple 2.Example 2.

Des poudres de cuivre et des fibres courtes de SiC, à raison de 12 % en volume, ont été mélangées pendant 8 h dans un broyeur vibrant. Le mélange obtenu a été consolidé par extrusion et ensuite écroui à froid dans les mêmes conditions que dans l'exemple 1. La stabilité thermique des barres obtenues a été déterminée comme dans l'exemple 1.Copper powders and short SiC fibers, 12% by volume, were mixed for 8 h in a vibrating mill. The mixture obtained was consolidated by extrusion and then cold-worked under the same conditions as in Example 1. The thermal stability of the bars obtained was determined as in Example 1.

Dans ces conditions, on a observé que la dureté rémanente du matériau, après 1 h à 760 °C, était de 70 Rb.Under these conditions, it was observed that the residual hardness of the material, after 1 h at 760 ° C., was 70 Rb.

Claims (10)

1. Matériau composite à base de cuivre pour contacts électriques fortement sollicités, caractérisé en ce qu'il contient au moins un composant de renforcement dispersé dans la matrice de cuivre.1. Copper-based composite material for highly stressed electrical contacts, characterized in that it contains at least one reinforcing component dispersed in the copper matrix. 2. Matériau composite suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit composant de renforcement comprend un ou plusieurs oxydes stables vis-à-vis du cuivre.2. Composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that said reinforcing component comprises one or more oxides stable with respect to copper. 3. Matériau composite suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits oxydes forment une dispersion durcissante dans la matrice du cuivre.3. Composite material according to claim 2, characterized in that said oxides form a hardening dispersion in the copper matrix. 4. Matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que la teneur en oxydes est comprise entre 1 et 10 % en volume.4. Composite material according to either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the oxide content is between 1 and 10% by volume. 5. Matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit composant de renforcement comprend un ou plusieurs éléments peu solubles dans le cuivre.5. Composite material according to either of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said reinforcing component comprises one or more elements poorly soluble in copper. 6. Matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit composant de renforcement comprend des fibres courtes constituées de substances stables vis-à-vis du cuivre.6. Composite material according to either of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said reinforcing component comprises short fibers made of substances stable with respect to copper. 7. Matériau composite suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la proportion desdites fibres courtes est comprise entre 5 et 25 % en volume.7. Composite material according to claim 6, characterized in that the proportion of said short fibers is between 5 and 25% by volume. 8. Matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 6 et 7, caractérisé en ce que lesdites fibres courtes sont constituées de Al₂O₃ et/ou de SiC.8. Composite material according to either of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said short fibers consist of Al₂O₃ and / or SiC. 9. Procédé de fabrication d'un matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que l'on réalise un alliage mécanique d'une poudre de cuivre ou d'alliage de cuivre et d'au moins un composant de renforcement, et en ce que l'on consolide le mélange obtenu en le soumettant à une opération d'extrusion à chaud.9. A method of manufacturing a composite material according to either of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one carries out a mechanical alloy of a copper powder or copper alloy and at least one reinforcing component, and in that the mixture obtained is consolidated by subjecting it to a hot extrusion operation. 10. Procédé de fabrication d'un matériau composite suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que l'on prépare une charge fondue de cuivre ou d'alliage de cuivre, en ce qu'on lui ajoute le ou les composants de renforcement en quantité appropriée, en ce que l'on agite le bain fondu pour assurer la dispersion desdits composants de renforcement et en ce que l'on coule ladite charge en lingotins dont on provoque ensuite la solidification rapide.10. A method of manufacturing a composite material according to either of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one prepares a molten charge of copper or copper alloy, in that it add the reinforcement component (s) in an appropriate quantity, in that the molten bath is stirred to ensure the dispersion of said reinforcement components and in that said charge is poured into ingots which are then rapidly solidified.
EP19890870101 1988-06-29 1989-06-23 Composite copper-based material for electric contacts under heavy stress, method of manufacturing this material and electric contacts made therefrom Withdrawn EP0349515A3 (en)

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BE8800753 1988-06-29
BE8800753A BE1002075A6 (en) 1988-06-29 1988-06-29 COPPER-BASED COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR HIGHLY SOLICITED ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF, AND CONTACT COMPONENTS THEREOF.

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EP0349515A3 EP0349515A3 (en) 1990-12-05

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EP2849192A1 (en) * 2013-09-11 2015-03-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Combustion element for an arc quenching device, arc quenching device and method for producing a combustion element
WO2015113794A3 (en) * 2014-01-31 2015-10-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Earthing switch for traction power supply systems and method for earthing a part of a traction power supply system using an earthing switch
CN115852195A (en) * 2022-07-21 2023-03-28 合肥工业大学 Method for preparing Y-La-O phase modified copper alloy material by film pressing

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RU2739493C1 (en) * 2020-06-29 2020-12-24 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Национальный исследовательский технологический университет "МИСиС" Method of producing composite electric contact material of cu-sic

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EP2849192A1 (en) * 2013-09-11 2015-03-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Combustion element for an arc quenching device, arc quenching device and method for producing a combustion element
WO2015113794A3 (en) * 2014-01-31 2015-10-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Earthing switch for traction power supply systems and method for earthing a part of a traction power supply system using an earthing switch
CN115852195A (en) * 2022-07-21 2023-03-28 合肥工业大学 Method for preparing Y-La-O phase modified copper alloy material by film pressing
CN115852195B (en) * 2022-07-21 2024-01-26 合肥工业大学 Method for preparing Y-La-O phase modified copper alloy material by film pressing

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EP0349515A3 (en) 1990-12-05

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