FI88730B - PROCEDURE FOR THE FRAMEWORK OF FRAMSTAELLNING AV EN KOPPARBASERAD LEGERING - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a copper-based alloy comprising an alloy horn inclined downstream from one end to one end to cause molten copper to flow therethrough, the alloy horn comprising a feed opening in said other end at said other end of the outlet and having an elongate channel through which the inlet communicates with the outlet, whereby molten copper fed from the inlet can flow down through the channel to the outlet.

In the production of the copper-based alloy, a batch process in which soluble metals are alloyed with copper in a melting furnace has traditionally been used.

However, the batching process has been disadvantageous because each time the types of copper-based alloy rings to be manufactured are changed, the interior of the melting furnace is washed. As a result, a large amount of melt has been required for washing and it is cumbersome to perform such washing. In addition, as intermittent operation reduces the operating speed of the melting furnace, productivity has decreased, which has led to high production costs. Besides, since it is difficult to mix the 25 soluble constituents evenly with the copper, the alloy produced in this way has not met the desired quality.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for producing a copper alloy which is capable of melting a soluble component in molten copper uniformly, continuously producing a copper alloy having a uniform chemical composition at a reduced cost.

Another object is to provide a method for producing a ku-35 pair alloy using such equipment.

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According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a copper-based alloy, characterized in that a barrel crucible for receiving a molten copper-based alloy spaced apart from the upstream and downstream portions of the alloy tube 10, the upstream supply means being adapted to supply to the channel at least one solid soluble component having a higher melting point than copper and the downstream supply means adapted to supply the channel with at least one solid melting point. has a lower melting point than copper, the first and second feed means being adapted to allow at least two n mixing the soluble component with molten copper.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a copper-based alloy characterized in that at least one solid soluble component having a higher melting point than copper is continuously fed through the first feed means to the upstream portion of the alloy horn channel and continuously fed at least one solid. a soluble component having a lower melting point than copper is passed through the second supply means to the downstream portion of the channel, the first and second supply means being adapted to allow at least two soluble components to mix with the molten copper, the alloy horn melt the copper-based alloy into the barrel crucible.

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The invention will now be described in more detail by means of a few preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, of which Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alloy horn installed in the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a modified apparatus according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of another modified apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is described apparatus for making a copper-based alloy, the apparatus comprising a melting furnace 10 for melting a solid copper material to produce molten copper. A downcomer 12 inclined downwardly from one end 20 toward the other end and having a feed port 12a at one end and an outlet pipe 12b at one end is connected at one end to a melting furnace 10 and a charging furnace 14 disposed at the other end of the downcomer 12 to charge molten copper and to maintain the temperature of the molten copper at a predetermined level. As shown in Figure 2, the downpipe 12 is housed in a jacket 13 lined with refractory bricks, and a reducing gas consisting of a mixture of carbon monoxide gas and nitrogen gas is included in the pipe 12.

An alloy horn 16 inclined downward from one end toward the other end is connected at one end to the charging furnace 14 to cause molten copper discharged from the charging furnace 14 to flow downward therethrough. The alloy hose 16 consists of a hermetically sealable shell 35 having a feed port 16a at one end and an outlet port 4b at the other end and an elongate channel 16c through which the feed port 16a communicates with the outlet port 16b and the channel 16c is filled with an inert gas or reducing gas. As in the case of the pouring horn 12, the alloy 5 is placed in a jacket 13 lined with refractory bricks. A pouring basin or barrel crucible 18, which also consists of a hermetically sealed shell, is placed at one end of the alloy 16 to receive in a barrel crucible to cover the surface of the molten metal for protective purposes. The first and second feed means 20 and 22 are both connected to the alloy horn 16 for feeding solid soluble components to the channel 16c of the alloy hose 16, the first feed means 15 being connected to the upstream portion of the horn 16 near its other end, while the second feed means 22 is connected downstream of the horn 16. part near its other end. The channel 16c of the alloy tube 16 should be long enough to melt the soluble components to mix them with the molten copper as the molten copper passes through the channel 16c.

The soluble constituents to be alloyed with copper are different depending on the type of copper alloys to be produced. As such soluble constituents, many elements such as chromium (Cr), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), tin (Sn), tellurium ( Te), arsenic (As), phosphorus (P), aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), beryllium (Be), tungsten (W), etc. can be alloyed with copper. With respect to the element having a higher melting point than copper, such as Cr, Zr, Ti, Si, Ni and Fe, it is preferable to use a very pure solid material. Such pure solid material may be in the form of granules, granules, yarns, pieces, powders and the like.

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The outer shell of the barrel crucible 18 has an opening at the bottom in which a mouthpiece 18a and a plug 24 are mounted. By raising and lowering the plug 24 the amount of molten copper alloy to be lowered from the barrel crucible 18 can be adjusted. Mold 5 ti 26 is positioned below the barrel crucible 18 for continuous casting of a molten alloy to be cast from the mouthpiece of the barrel crucible 18 to produce a cast copper alloy. Cover 28 is mounted tynnyriupokkaan between 18 and mold closure 26 and 10 in order to mold and tynnyriupokkaan the inside of the hermetically sealed and it is fed into the inert gas.

The operation of the copper alloy manufacturing apparatus will now be described.

Initially, solid copper-15 is charged to the melting furnace 10 and the copper is melted. In particular, in this melting furnace 10, pieces of charcoal are added to prevent the molten copper from being exposed to air, so that low-oxygen molten copper with an oxygen content of up to 50 ppm is produced. When the molten ku-20 pair in the melting furnace 10 exceeds a certain level, it flows over the downcomer 12 and passes through it to the charging furnace 14. In the downcomer 12, the low oxygen molten copper is reduced by the reducing gas to oxygen-free molten copper having an oxygen content of 10 ppm or less.

The oxygen-free molten copper is then lowered into the charging furnace 14 and maintained at a predetermined temperature. The molten copper is then discharged into the charge furnace 14 and maintained at a predetermined temperature. The molten copper then flows over the alloy tube 16 and passes through its channel 16c 30 to flow into the barrel crucible 18. While copper passes through the alloy tube 16, first solid, soluble constituents with high melting points relative to copper and difficult to melt are added to the first feed medium. 20 through the alloying tube 16 to the hub 16c and other soluble constituents having low melting points relative to copper are added through the second feed means 22 to the channel 16c of the horn 16 at this stage because molten copper flows through the channel 16c at a sufficient flow rate to the channel 16c. the soluble components mix with the molten copper evenly and melt rapidly, and thus a molten copper-based alloy having a uniform chemical composition is formed. In addition, although the first soluble components have high melting points and are difficult to melt, they are added to the upstream portion of the alloy tube 16 and therefore can be sufficiently alloyed with copper as it passes through the long channel 16c. As for the other soluble constituents with low melting points, they are added to the downstream part of the horn 16, but they are easy to mix and alloy with copper. Some ingredients with higher solubilities may be added to the barrel crucible 18. In addition, it is preferred to preheat the soluble ingredients to temperatures close to their melting points before adding them.

The molten copper alloy thus produced is poured from the alloy horn 16 into the barrel crucible 18 and cast from the barrel crucible 18 into a mold 26 through the mouthpiece 18a so as to form a casting product 30 of copper alloy.

Although in the above, the soluble constituents are alloyed with oxygen-free copper in the alloy tube 16, they can be alloyed with low-oxygen copper or reduced copper. However, if the soluble component to be added is an active or reactive element such as Cr, Ti, Zr, Si, Mg, Ca, Al and the like having a high oxygen affinity, this element combines with oxygen, thus reducing the yield of the alloy. In such a case, it is preferable to use low-oxygen copper.

Fig. 3 shows a modified apparatus according to the present invention, which differs from the apparatus 35 of Figs. 1 and 2 only in that a heating furnace 32 is placed between the alloy horn 16 and the barrel crucible 18 to heat the molten alloy discharged from the horn 16. The heating furnace 32 is a high frequency induction furnace to which a blowing device 34 is connected to blow an inert gas such as argon into the molten alloy to agitate it. The alloy produced by the equipment of this embodiment contains a high content of soluble elements.

Figure 4 shows another modified apparatus according to the present invention, which differs from the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 only in that the heating means 36 is connected to the alloy tube 16 for heating molten copper and soluble elements passing through the channel 16c.

Further, although in the above embodiments the two feeders are connected to the alloy horn 15 16, only one feeder may be sufficient if only a few soluble ingredients are added or the solubilities of the soluble ingredients are nearly equal. In addition, each of the horns 12 and 16 may be a U-shaped horn in cross-section enclosed in a hermetically sealable jacket lined with refractory bricks.

As described above, in the apparatus of the present invention, soluble ingredients are continuously added to molten copper flowing at a sufficient flow rate. Thus, the flow of molten copper confuses the added Liu-25 components and they mix with it evenly and melt rapidly, thus continuously producing a copper-based alloy having a uniform chemical composition. In addition, by changing the amount of soluble components to be added in the alloy horn, the amount of the alloy to be produced is changed, and in addition, various alloys can be easily prepared. Furthermore, since the alloying is performed in an alloying horn, there is no need to wash the inside of the melting furnace when changing the types of alloys to be manufactured, which substantially improves the operating speed of the equipment.

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The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1

Cr-Cu alloys with a desired Cr content of 0.25 to 0.40% by weight were prepared using the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. For comparison, Cr-Cu alloys with the same desired Cr content were prepared by a conventional batch process. The results of Cr-pi contents, etc. of these alloys are shown in Table 1.

As can be seen from Table 1, the alloys obtained with the apparatus of this invention generally have uniform Cr concentrations and meet the desired specification. On the other hand, the Cr contents of the alloys obtained by the conventional batch process vary widely, and moreover, an alloy is obtained which does not meet the specification.

table 1

Equipment of the invention Cr-20 Cr-Cu alloys obtained by conventional equipment Cu alloys Number of samples. 8 8

Avg. Cr content (% by weight) 0.345 0.324

Maximum Cr content (% by weight) 0.390 0.490

Minimum Cr content (% by weight 0.320 0.260

Range 0.070 0.230

Standard deviation 0.029 0.070 30 Example 2

Zr-Cu alloys with the desired Zr content of 0.07 to 0.13% by weight were prepared using the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and by a conventional batch process for comparison purposes. The results of Zr content-35 and the like of these alloys are shown in Table 2.

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As can be seen from Table 2, the alloys obtained with the apparatus of this invention generally have a uniform Zr content and meet the desired specification. On the other hand, the Zr contents of the alloys obtained by the conventional batch process vary widely, and in addition, an alloy which does not meet the requirements is obtained. Furthermore, although Zr is reactive and sensitive to oxidation, the alloys obtained by the apparatus of the invention have relatively higher Zr concentrations than the alloys obtained by the conventional process.

Table 2

Equipment of the invention Zr-Zr-Cu alloys obtained by conventional equipment Cu alloys 15 Number of samples. 8 8

Avg. Zr content (% by weight 0.098 0.058

Maximum Zr content (% by weight) 0.107 0.105 20 Minimum Zr content (% by weight) 0.095 0.018

The range is 0.012 to 0.087

Standard deviation 0.005 0.034

Example 3 Mg-Cu alloys with the desired Mg content of 0.02 to 0.08% by weight were prepared using the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and by a conventional batch process for comparison purposes. The results of Mg contents, etc. of these alloys are shown in Table 3.

As can be seen from Table 3, the alloys obtained with the apparatus of this invention generally have a uniform Mg content and meet the desired specification. On the other hand, the Mg contents of the alloys obtained by the conventional batch process vary widely, and in addition, an alloy which does not meet the requirements is obtained.

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Furthermore, as in the case of Example 2, although Mg is reactive and sensitive to oxidation, the Mg contents of the alloys obtained with the apparatus of the invention are relatively higher than those of the alloy rings obtained by the conventional process.

Table 3

Invention Mg-Mg-Cu alloys obtained by conventional equipment Cu alloys 10 Number of samples. 8 8

Avg. Mg content (% by weight) 0.055 0.030

Maximum Mg content (% by weight) 0.058 0.050 15 Minimum Mg content (% by weight) 0.052 0.008

Range of 0.006 0.042

Standard deviation 0.002 0.019

Example 4 Cr-Cu alloys having the desired Cr content of 0.75 to 0.90% by weight were prepared using the apparatus of Figure 3 containing a heating furnace 32. For comparison, Cr-Cu alloys were prepared by a conventional batch process. alloys with the same desired Cr-pi-25 content. The Cr content, etc. of these alloys are shown in Table 4.

As can be seen from Table 4, alloys made with the apparatus of this invention generally have a uniform Cr content and meet the desired specification. On the other hand, the Cr contents of the alloys obtained by the conventional batch process vary widely, and in addition, alloys are obtained which do not meet the requirements.

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Table 4

Equipment of the invention Cr-Cr-Cu alloys obtained by conventional equipment Cu alloys 5 Number of samples. 7 7

Avg. Cr content (% by weight) 0.831 0.781

Maximum Cr content (% by weight) 0,857 0,920 10 Minimum Cr content (% by weight) 0,817 0,615

Range of 0.040 0.305

Standard deviation 0.019 0.084

Example 5 Pure Cr metal granules, all of which had a high melting point and a purity of at least 99.7% by weight and a grain size of 0.1 to 1.5 mm, were alloyed with copper using the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 and a copper alloy was successfully obtained. having a uniform chemical composition and a Cr content of 1.1% by weight. Similarly, crushed pieces of Ti with a purity of at least 99.6% by weight and a size of 3.0 to 5.0 mm, Zr pieces with a purity of at least 98.0% by weight and a size of 1.0 x 5.0 x 10.0 mm, crushed Si-kappa-25 sheets with a purity of at least 99.9% by weight and a size of 3.0 x 5.0 mm, spherical Ni bodies with a purity of at least 99, 8% by weight and a size of 8 mm and Fe-Kap pieces with a purity of at least 99.9% by weight and a size of 1x2-5 mm each were alloyed with copper to obtain copper alloys with a Ti content of 2.5% by weight, Zr content 0.2% by weight, Si content 1.7% by weight, Ni content 2.5% by weight and Fe content 2.3% by weight.

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Example 6

A Cu-Cr-Ti-Si-Ni-Sn alloy was prepared with the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the addition of the alloying elements in the order Cu-Cr, Ti-Si-Ni-Sn, gave an alloy having a Cr content of 0.3%.

Claims (12)

13 8 8 7 3 ϋ An apparatus for producing a copper-based alloy comprising an alloy horn (16) inclined downwardly from one end to the other end to cause molten copper to flow therethrough, the alloy horn (16) comprising an inlet (16a) at said other end and an outlet (16b) at said other end and having an elongate channel (16c) through which the inlet (16a) communicates with the outlet (16b), whereby molten copper fed from the inlet (16a) can flow downwards through the channel (16c) to the outlet (16b), characterized in that a barrel crucible (18) is received at one end of the alloy horn (16) to receive a molten copper-based alloy cast from the alloy horn (16), the alloy horn and the barrel crucible consist of an airtight housing and the second alloy horn comprises , 22) spaced apart from the alloy the upstream and downstream portions of the orifice 20 (16), wherein the upstream feed means (20) is adapted to feed at least one solid soluble component having a higher melting point than copper to the channel (16c), and the downstream feed means (22) is adapted to feed 25 in the channel (16c) at least one solid soluble component having a lower melting point than copper, the first and second supply means (20, 22) being adapted to allow the at least two soluble components to mix with the molten copper. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a heating furnace (32) interposed between the alloy horn (16) and the barrel crucible (18) for heating the molten copper-based alloy discharged from the alloy horn (16). 14 "8 730 Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the heating furnace (32) is an induction furnace. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a smelting furnace (10) for smelting solid copper to produce molten copper, a pouring horn (12) for flowing molten copper produced in the smelting furnace (10), a pouring horn (12) and a charge furnace (14) interposed between the alloy tube (16) for receiving and maintaining molten copper at a predetermined temperature, and a mold (26) disposed adjacent to the barrel crucible (18) for casting a molten copper-based alloy to produce a casting product from the copper-based alloy. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alloy tube (16) comprises heating means (36) attached thereto for heating the molten copper passing through the channel (16c). A method of manufacturing a copper-based alloy, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an alloy horn (16) inclined downwardly from a feed port (16a) toward an outlet port (16b) and having an elongate channel (16c) through which the feed port (16c) 16a) communicates with the outlet (16b), and 25b) continuously feeds molten copper from the feed opening (16a) to the channel (16c) of the alloy tube (16) and causes the molten copper to flow down through the channel (16c) to the outlet (16b), characterized in that continuously feeding at least one solid soluble component having a higher melting point than copper through the first supply means (20) to the upstream portion of the channel (16c) of the alloy tube (16) and continuously feeding at least one solid soluble component having a lower melting point than with copper, via the second supply means (22) 35 to the downstream part of the channel (16c), whereby! 3ϋ the first and second supply means (20, 22) are adapted to allow mixing of at least two soluble constituents with molten copper, make the alloy horn (16) as an airtight structure and provide an air-tight barrel flap (18) from the alloy horn (16) the copper-based alloy melts into the barrel crucible (18). Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the molten copper is oxygen-free copper. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the molten copper is low-oxygen copper. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the molten copper and the soluble constituents are mixed together in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-oxidizing atmosphere is an inert gas. Process according to Claim 10, characterized in that the non-oxidizing atmosphere is a reducing gas. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the solid soluble components are a reactive element which is easily oxidizable. 16 »r '/ SO