JP2007092176A - Copper alloy - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copper alloy which can be drawn into a fine or ultra fine metallic wire. <P>SOLUTION: The two copper alloys are provided. The first copper alloy has a composition in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt.% chromium, from 0.005 to 0.25 wt.% silver, and the balance copper. The second copper alloy has a composition in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt.% chromium, from 0.01 to 0.12 wt.% magnesium, and the balance copper. The copper alloys of the present invention can also include zirconium to provide additional softening resistance. These copper alloys can easily be drawn or rolled to fine or ultra fine sizes (0.010 inch (0.254 mm) or smaller) to be used as a single end wire and constructions made therefrom. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to two copper alloys comprising chromium and silver or chromium and magnesium, and a method for producing thin metal wires (wires) having a diameter of less than 0.010 inch (0.254 mm).

  Copper and its alloys are the main materials used as conductors or conductors. A copper alloy is used when a non-alloy has insufficient (unsuitable) or insufficient properties. ASTM B624 describes one set of properties for such an application. ASTM B624 defines the properties of useful conductor alloys as follows. Tensile strength of at least 60 ksi has a minimum conductivity of 85% IACS (electrical conductivity) and a minimum of 7% to 9% depending on diameter (eg 8% for 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) diameter) ) Growth. These characteristics are determined based on the performance of the existing alloy C18135. In addition to the above properties, other properties such as softening resistance and flex life are important factors and should be considered.

  The first alloy that meets the requirements of ASTM B624 is copper alloy 18135 with a nominal composition of 0.4% by weight cadmium, 0.4% by weight chromium, and the balance copper. Due to the dangers of cadmium, research has been done to replace this alloy. A copper-chromium-zirconium alloy sold under the trade name PERCON 24 was marketed and could exceed the requirements of ASTM B624. Although this Cu-Cr-Zr alloy is commercially available, the casting and manufacturing of zirconium-containing alloys is very complex. For this reason, it is useful to come up with new alloys that are free of hazardous cadmium and without the difficulty of adding zirconium and meet the requirements of ASTM B624.

  The Copper Development Association (CDA) lists several copper alloys that contain chromium. Copper chrome alloys C182 and 184 contain up to 1.2% chromium. These copper chromium alloys are precipitation hardening alloys (age hardening alloys). In order to utilize the strengthening effect (reinforcing effect) of chromium, chromium must first be dissolved in a copper matrix (solid solution). Following solid solution processing, the precipitation hardened alloy is heat treated to form fine particles and reinforce the alloy. The maximum amount of chromium that can be dissolved in copper is 0.65%, and the temperature at which copper begins to dissolve is 1076 ° C. In practice, the maximum amount of chromium dissolved in copper is less than 0.65%. Excess amounts of chromium other than those dissolved in the copper matrix remain as large particles (5 to 10 microns or more) and do not contribute to reinforcement of the alloy. The large particles do not adversely affect relatively large (greater than 0.020 inch) diameter metal wires. However, large particles in the conductor are typically 0.003 inch (0.0762 mm) to 0.005 inch (0.127 mm), and 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm) or smaller single wire metal wires. In the case of (single end wire), cutting of the metal wire is caused, which is a major obstacle. Therefore, when a typical single wire having a diameter of 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm) to 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) is applied to a conductor, the amount of chromium in the copper-chromium alloy is Preferably, it should be limited to less than 0.65%. In practice, the maximum amount of chromium that can be practically dissolved in copper is about 0.5%.

  Copper-chromium alloys can provide high strength, but their softening resistance is not acceptable and measures are needed to improve the softening resistance. Silver, magnesium, and zirconium are known to improve the softening resistance of copper alloys. Zirconium is one of the most effective elements for increasing the softening resistance of copper. However, zirconium is a highly reactive element and requires special equipment and techniques to add it to copper. On the other hand, silver is an effective element for increasing the softening resistance of copper and can be added to copper very easily. An additional feature of silver is that it does not adversely affect conductivity. Alloy C107 is an example of copper containing silver, and has improved softening resistance compared to alloy C102. Only a small amount of silver needs to be added to increase the softening resistance. Adding more than 0.2% silver is not harmful but wastes relatively expensive elements.

  CDA alloy C18500 describes copper-chromium-silver. Due to lack of interest, this alloy has been abandoned since 1992 and has been removed from the current list of copper alloys. C18500 contains 0.4% to 1.0% chromium and 0.08% to 0.12% silver. High chromium in this alloy is not detrimental in large diameter metal wires and rods, but is less than the thin and extra fine metal wires of interest (typically 0.010 inches (0.254 mm)) ) Is a hindrance. In fact, the minimum amount of chromium listed for C18500 is the optimum amount of chromium required for the alloy of the present invention. Silver is a relatively expensive element and must be limited to the amount necessary to improve softening resistance. The nominal amount specified in C18500 is 0.1%.

  Alternatively, magnesium may be added to the copper chrome to improve the softening resistance of the alloy. Since the conductivity is reduced by the addition of magnesium, the amount of magnesium added should be limited to the minimum amount necessary to improve the softening resistance. For this reason, the amount of magnesium should be limited to 0.1%.

  In accordance with the present invention, two coppers that can be drawn (drawn) or drawn into thin and very fine metal wires (typically metal wires smaller than 0.010 inches). An alloy is provided.

  The first copper alloy includes 0.2 wt% to 0.6 wt% chromium, 0.005 wt% to 0.25 wt% silver, 0.015 wt% zirconium as essential components, and It has a composition consisting of the remaining copper.

  The second copper alloy comprises 0.2 wt.% To 0.6 wt.% Chromium, 0.01 wt.% To 0.12 wt.% Magnesium, 0.015 wt.% Zirconium as essential components, and It has the composition which consists of remainder copper.

  The present invention also provides a metal wire having a diameter of less than 0.010 inches made from a first copper alloy or a second copper alloy having the above composition.

  The invention further relates to a method for producing a copper alloy metal wire. The method generally includes the steps of providing a copper alloy material comprising chromium, solution treating the copper alloy material to solution a majority of the chromium, and after the solution treatment, the copper alloy. Rapidly quenching (quick quenching) the material to maintain the chromium in solution, forming the copper alloy material into an intermediate gauge, ie, an intermediate dimension or thickness metal wire, aging the copper alloy material metal wire In other words, the method includes the steps of obtaining aged chromium particles having a size of submicron (less than 1 micron) by aging, and forming a metal wire of the copper alloy material into a metal wire having a final gauge. In addition, annealing (stress relief annealing) or annealing is subsequently performed to obtain the desired tensile strength and elongation.

  Other details of the copper alloy of the present invention, as well as other objects and features associated therewith, are described in the detailed description below.

  In accordance with the present invention, two copper alloys are provided that can be drawn into thin and extra fine metal wires, specifically metal wires having a diameter of less than 0.010 inches (0.254 mm).

  In a first embodiment of the present invention, the copper alloy comprises about 0.2 to 0.6 weight percent chromium, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 weight percent chromium, and 0.005 to 0.25. It contains a weight percent silver, preferably 0.05 to 0.20 weight percent silver and the balance copper. This alloy may further contain up to 0.015% by weight of zirconium to improve softening resistance. When included, zirconium is preferably added in an amount of 0.005 to 0.015% by weight.

  In a second embodiment of the invention, the copper alloy comprises about 0.2 to 0.6 wt% chromium, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 wt% chromium and 0.01 wt% to 0 wt%. .12% by weight magnesium, preferably 0.05 to 0.1% by weight magnesium and the balance copper. This alloy may further contain up to 0.015% by weight of zirconium to improve softening resistance. When included, zirconium is preferably added in an amount of 0.005 to 0.015% by weight.

  Each alloy of the present invention can be cast using any suitable continuous or non-continuous casting technique known in the art. Following casting, the alloy is processed into a metal wire (wire) having a convenient diameter. This processing can include a high temperature solution treatment to solubilize all or a majority of the chromium, and subsequent rapid cooling (eg, in water) to maintain or retain the chromium in solution. This processing is important for the correct use of chromium. The large particles (5 to 10 microns or more) remaining after solution treatment are harmful and cause the metal wire to break when drawing (drawing) or drawing to a thin or ultrafine diameter. is there. The solution treatment used is from 925 to 1000 ° C. (1700 to 1830 ° F.) and from 5 minutes to 5 hours, with the preferred solution treatment treating the majority or all of the chromium particles being dissolved or dispersed. After solution treatment and quenching, the copper alloy is then used to form an intermediate gauge or medium size or thickness metal wire, typically 0.036 inches in diameter, using a known suitable drawing (drawing) technique. (0.91 mm) to 0.064 inch (1.63 mm) metal wire is drawn or drawn. Copper alloy metal wires drawn to an intermediate gauge are aged or aged to obtain precipitated chromium particles of submicron size (less than 1 micron). The heat treatment temperature used during aging at this stage is typically 450 to 565 ° C. (850 to 1050 ° F.) and 1 to 5 hours. The copper alloy metal wire is then drawn (drawn) to a final gauge that is the size or thickness of the final single wire using a suitable drawing (drawing) technique known in the art, and subsequently required. Heat treated to obtain good tensile strength and elongation. Desirable tensile strength is greater than 60 ksi and desirable elongation is greater than 6-8%. This heat treatment is about 1 to 5 hours at a temperature in the range of 350 to 510 ° C. (650 to 950 ° F.).

  The metal wire formed from the copper alloy of the present invention is used in a circular shape (drawing) or a flat shape (rolling). This metal wire is used as a single-wire metal wire or a structure made from the single-wire metal wire, such as a double-wire metal wire, a rope, or a bobbin.

  As described above, according to the present invention, two copper alloys satisfying the above-described objects, means, and features can be obtained. Other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the above description. The present invention is intended to include these alternatives, modifications, and variations within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (24)

  Copper alloy comprising 0.2% to 0.6% chromium, 0.005% to 0.25% silver, 0.015% zirconium as essential components and the balance copper .   The copper alloy of claim 1, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of 0.3 wt% to 0.5 wt%.   The copper alloy of claim 1, wherein the silver is present in an amount from 0.05 wt% to 0.20 wt%.   The copper alloy of claim 1, wherein the zirconium is present in an amount of 0.005 wt% to 0.015 wt%.   Copper alloy comprising 0.2% to 0.6% chromium, 0.01% to 0.12% magnesium, 0.015% zirconium as essential components, and the balance copper .   The copper alloy of claim 5, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of 0.3 wt% to 0.5 wt%.   The copper alloy of claim 5, wherein the magnesium is present in an amount from 0.05 wt% to 0.1 wt%.   The copper alloy of claim 5, wherein the zirconium is present in an amount of 0.005 wt% to 0.015 wt%.   Copper alloy comprising 0.2% to 0.6% chromium, 0.005% to 0.25% silver, 0.015% zirconium as essential components and the balance copper A metal wire, wherein the metal wire has a diameter less than 0.254 mm (0.010 inches).   The metal wire of claim 9, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of 0.3 wt% to 0.5 wt%.   The metal wire of claim 9, wherein the silver is present in an amount of 0.05 wt% to 0.20 wt%.   The metal wire of claim 9, wherein the zirconium is present in an amount of 0.005 wt% to 0.015 wt%.   Copper alloy comprising 0.2% to 0.6% chromium, 0.01% to 0.12% magnesium, 0.015% zirconium as essential components, and the balance copper A metal wire having a diameter less than 0.010 inches.   The metal wire of claim 13, wherein the chromium is present in an amount of 0.3 wt% to 0.5 wt%.   14. The metal wire of claim 13, wherein the magnesium is present in an amount from 0.05% to 0.10% by weight.   14. The metal wire of claim 13, wherein the zirconium is present in an amount from 0.005% to 0.015% by weight. Preparing a copper alloy material containing chromium;
Solution treatment of the copper alloy material to solution the majority of the chromium,
Quenching the copper alloy material after the solution treatment to maintain the chromium in solution;
Forming the copper alloy material into an intermediate gauge metal wire;
A copper wire comprising: aging a metal wire of the copper alloy material to obtain deposited chromium particles of submicron size; and forming the metal wire of the copper alloy material into a metal wire of a final gauge. A method for producing metal wires of alloys.   The step of preparing the copper alloy material includes 0.2 wt% to 0.6 wt% chromium, 0.005 wt% to 0.25 wt% silver, and 0.015 wt% zirconium. The manufacturing method of Claim 17 which consists of the step which prepares the copper alloy material which consists of the remainder and copper.   The step of preparing the copper alloy material includes 0.2 wt% to 0.6 wt% chromium, 0.01 wt% to 0.12 wt% magnesium, and 0.015 wt% zirconium. The manufacturing method of Claim 17 which consists of the step which prepares the copper alloy material which consists of the remainder and copper.   The manufacturing method according to claim 17, wherein the solution forming step comprises bringing the copper alloy material to a temperature in the range of 925 ° C. to 1000 ° C.   The step of forming the copper alloy material into an intermediate gauge metal wire extends the copper alloy material into a metal wire having a diameter in the range of 0.91 mm (0.036 inch) to 1.63 mm (0.064 inch). The method of claim 17, comprising:   The method of claim 17, wherein the aging step comprises bringing the metal wire to a temperature in the range of 450 ° C. to 565 ° C.   The method of claim 17, wherein forming the final gauge metal wire comprises drawing the copper alloy material metal wire into a metal wire having a diameter less than 0.010 inches.   The method of claim 17, further comprising subjecting the metal wire to an additional heat treatment at a temperature ranging from 350 ° C. to 510 ° C. in a final gauge.