Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
  • C22F—CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS
  • C22F1/00—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working
  • C22F1/08—Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of copper or alloys based thereon
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
  • C22C—ALLOYS
  • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
  • C22C9/02—Alloys based on copper with tin as the next major constituent
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
  • C22C—ALLOYS
  • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
  • C22C9/04—Alloys based on copper with zinc as the next major constituent
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
  • C22C—ALLOYS
  • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
  • C22C9/06—Alloys based on copper with nickel or cobalt as the next major constituent

Definitions

• This invention relates to a copper-based alloy that has a superior balance of conductivity, tensile strength and bending workability and to a method of manufacturing same, and more specifically to a copper-based alloy for use in consumer products, for example, for forming blanks for narrow-pitch connectors for use in telecommunications, blanks for automotive harness connectors, blanks for semiconductor lead frames and blanks for compact switches and relays and the like and a method of manufacturing same.
• pins are used for supplying power, so the material used for them must have a reduced conductor resistance, namely a high conductivity, and thus the development of copper alloys to replace low-conductivity brass and phosphor bronze has become an urgent task.
• both strength/springiness and flexibility are indispensable at the time of the press-molding of pins, but making the molding size narrower and thinner becomes more necessary from a different standpoint than that up until now.
• the connectors mounted in automotive electronics must be made lighter and space-saving by making the connectors more compact, so for example, the width of a box-shaped female connector has been reduced from 2.3 mm, which was the mainstream ten years ago, to 0.64 mm at present.
• high conductivity is required in the same manner as for portable electronics.
• Precipitation strengthening of materials is one example of a method of increasing the conductivity while also obtaining high strength and high springiness, but if precipitation strengthening is used, deterioration of the ductility and bending workability of the material is ordinarily not negligible, and when it is attempted to avoid this, the control of the amount of elements added and the working and heat treatment processes required to control the size and distribution of precipitates becomes complex and as a result the manufacturing costs become higher (as in patent document JP2000-80428A, for example).
• the state of stress on the convex surface of a bend at the time of bending varies depending on the width/thickness ratio W/t (the ratio of the test piece width W to the sheet thickness t) from tension in a single axis to surface-strain tension, so it is mandatory to improve the bending workability in consideration of the surface-strain tension accompanying the deterioration of bending workability.
• An object of the present invention is therefore to control the crystal orientation of the material and thus provide a copper-based alloy that has a superior balance of conductivity, tensile strength and bending workability. and a method of manufacturing same.
• the present invention provides a copper-based alloy with improved bending workability and a method of manufacturing same by taking copper-based alloys and performing x-ray diffraction focusing primarily on the ND plane (the surface of sheet material; referred to in the present invention as the ND plane), and controlling the strength in specific directions among the crystal orientations thus obtained.
• the x-ray diffraction intensity referred to here indicates the integrated intensity in a crystal orientation of the material as measured by the x-ray diffraction method, for example.
• the present invention provides:
• the present invention provides a copper-based alloy that has a superior balance of conductivity, tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, springiness, hardness and bendability and is suitable for use in connectors, switches, relays and the like, and thus satisfies the demand for material that can be made into thinner sheet and finer wire in response to recent high-density mounting in consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment and automotive components.
• the present invention is able to improve remarkably the bending workability of high strength/high springiness copper based alloy.
• the present invention achieves improved bending workability of copper-based alloys by, with particular attention to the material surface, performing x-ray diffraction and controlling the strength in specific directions among the orientations thus obtained.
• the material must have good uniform elongation, namely a large n value, but thin sheets of tempered copper alloy for use in connectors are required to have high strength and high springiness at the time of terminal formation and mounting, and as a result the uniform elongation is small or roughly 1/10 of that of fully annealed material, so this effect cannot be expected. Accordingly, the only method left in order to improve bending workability is to disperse the wrinkle-shaped surface roughness patterns as finely as possible. When the surface is observed upon varying the amount of bending deformation, as the precursor stage to wrinkles, large numbers of fine indentations and step-like patterns occur at intervals generally on the order of the grain size.
• the grain boundaries take the role of material defects that become opportunities for constriction or necking. With increased amounts of deformation, portions of them become linked in the direction of the bending axis while elongating into wrinkles that are roughly parallel to the bending axis. When the period and amplitude of these wrinkles are observed, the width of the convex portions of the wrinkles is equivalent to a plurality of grains, so how readily they grow is thought to depend on the large number of microscopic indentations and steps that is present.
• Cu-based polycrystalline materials with the FCC (face-centered cubic) structure have a combination of slip planes ⁇ 111 ⁇ and slip directions ⁇ 110> (where ⁇ ⁇ indicates all equivalent planes, and ⁇ > indicates all equivalent directions (orientations)), or namely they have twelve ⁇ 111 ⁇ 110> slip systems, with one or more slip systems becoming active at the time of deformation.
• the ⁇ 100 ⁇ plane is the cubic orientation ⁇ 100 ⁇ 100>, and this group of orientations is well known as a component that decreases the r value which is the plastic strain ratio, thus, it is easy to make the strain in the thickness direction.
• the critical shear stress is equal in those slip systems that are active under conditions in which the stress is acting from tension in a single axis to surface-strain tension in each individually oriented grain, and moreover thickness stress readily occurs.
• the x-ray diffraction intensities (or simply the diffraction intensities) of the ⁇ 110 ⁇ plane, ⁇ 111 ⁇ plane, ⁇ 311 ⁇ plane and ⁇ 100 ⁇ plane are represented by I ⁇ 220 ⁇ , I ⁇ 111 ⁇ , I ⁇ 311 ⁇ and I ⁇ 200 ⁇ , respectively.
• the range of constituents in the composition of the copper-based alloy according to the present invention is defined to be: Ni, Sn, P and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al in a total amount of 0.01-30 wt. % with the remainder being Cu and unavoidable impurities.
• This composition is adopted because it maintains the balance among conductivity, tensile strength and 0.2% yield strength of the material and further increases the bending workability.
• the total amount of the Ni, Sn, P and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al is less than 0.01 wt. %, while the conductivity increases, satisfactory tensile strength, 0.2% proof tress and other properties are difficult to obtain. In addition, while the tensile strength and 0.2% proof tress can be increased by raising the percent reduction to 98%, the bending workability deteriorates greatly. On the other hand, if the total amount of the Ni, Sn, P and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al exceeds 30 wt. %, although the tensile strength and 0.2% yield strength can be increased, the conductivity is lowered and the bending workability also deteriorates.
• the range of constituents in the composition of the copper-based alloy according to the present invention is defined to be a copper-based alloy containing: Ni, Sn, P and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al in a total amount of 0.01-30 wt. % with the remainder being Cu and unavoidable impurities.
• the range of constituents in the composition is defined not as above but rather as containing Ni: 0.01-4.0 wt. %, Sn: 0.01-10 wt. % and P: 0.01-0.20 wt. % and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al in a total amount of 0.01-30 wt.
• Ni, Sn, P and also at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al is read as “at least one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Zn, Si, Fe, Co, Mg, Ti, Cr, Zr and Al.”
• Sn is a mandatory element for achieving both bending workability and strength and elasticity.
• Sn When Sn is in solid solution within a Cu matrix, it can greatly reduce the degree of concentration of the ⁇ 100 ⁇ planes that affects bending workability, and moreover it increases the degree of concentration of the ⁇ 110 ⁇ planes and ⁇ 311 ⁇ planes in combination with working and heat treatment, and furthermore it can make the grains having ⁇ 100 ⁇ planes fine and uniformly distributed, and as a result the bending workability can be increased. In addition, it can increase the strength and elasticity at the same time. However, if the Sn content is less than 0.01 wt. %, then these meritorious effects are not sufficiently obtained but on the other hand if the Sn content exceeds 10 wt.
• the Sn content is set as 0.01-10 wt. %, preferably 0.3-3.0 wt. % or more preferably 0.5-2.0 wt. %.
• Ni When Ni is in solid solution within a Cu matrix, it increases the strength, elasticity and solderability, and moreover, forms a compound with P or Si in some cases and precipitates out, thus increasing the electrical conductivity and increasing the strength and elasticity. In addition, it is an element that also contributes to improving the heat resistance and stress relaxation characteristics. However, if the Ni content is less than 0.01 wt. %, then these meritorious effects are not sufficiently obtained but on the other hand if the Ni content exceeds 4.0 wt. %, then the drop in electrical conductivity becomes marked even in the co-presence of P or Si in certain cases and this would be disadvantageous from an economic standpoint. Accordingly, the Ni content is set as 0.01-4.0 wt. % or preferably 0.5-3.0 wt. %.
• the P acts as a deoxidizer in the melt during melting and casting and also forms a compound with Ni or in some cases Fe or Mg or Co, thus increasing the electrical conductivity and increasing the strength and elasticity.
• the P content is set as 0.01-0.20 wt. % or preferably 0.03-0.10 wt. %.
• Zn When in solid solution within a Cu matrix, Zn has the effect of increasing the strength and elasticity and enhancing the melt deoxidizing effect, and also has the effect of reducing the dissolved oxygen elements in the Cu matrix, and also has the effect of increasing the solder weatherability and migration resistance.
• the Zn content is set as 0.01-30 wt. %, more preferably 0.01-10 wt. % and even more preferably 0.03-3.0 wt. %.
• Si When co-present with Ni, Si forms a compound and precipitates out into the Cu matrix, and thus has the effect of increasing strength and elasticity without greatly decreasing the electrical conductivity. If the Si content is less than 0.01 wt. %, then these meritorious effects are not sufficiently obtained but on the other hand if the Si content exceeds 1.0 wt. %, then the hot workability drops markedly. Accordingly, the Si content is set as 0.01-1.0 wt. %.
• the content of one or two or more of the aforementioned elements is preferably 0.01-3.0 wt. %.
• oxygen content is set to 20 ppm or less.
• the material according to the present invention can be manufactured by the following process. Namely, take an ingot of a copper-based alloy having the indicated elemental composition, and perform cold rolling and annealing until the prescribed sheet thickness is obtained, and then perform a combination of cold rolling at a percent reduction Z that satisfies the above Formula (1) followed by low-temperature annealing performed at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature, to obtain material of the desired sheet thickness.
• the ingot When homogenization annealing or hot rolling is performed in advance before cold-rolling the ingot, this has the meritorious effect of removing micro or macro segregations of the solute elements that occurred during casting, thus homogenizing the solute element distribution, and in particular, performing hot rolling can make the crystal orientations of the ingot random and make the grains fine and uniform, and moreover this is economically advantageous because the percent rolling reduction can be greatly increased. Accordingly, it is preferable for the ingot to be subjected to at least one of homogenization annealing or hot rolling in advance prior to cold rolling.
• the homogenization annealing and hot rolling should preferably be performed at 750° C.-900° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Z 100 ⁇ 10 X ⁇ Y (1)
• Z is the percent cold reduction (%)
• X is the Sn content (wt. %) among the various elements
• Y is the total content (wt. %) of all elements other than Sn and Cu.
• Z is the percent cold reduction (%)
• X is the Sn content (wt. %) among the various elements
• Y is the total content (wt. %) of all elements other than Sn and Cu.
• the percent cold reduction Z (%) is set as given in Formula (1) because performing cold rolling at a percent reduction that satisfies Formula (1) for each of the added elements reduces the ⁇ 100 ⁇ planes that may become the starting points of surface wrinkles during bending deformation in the ND plane, and also simultaneously suppresses the degree of concentration of ⁇ 110 ⁇ planes, ⁇ 111 ⁇ planes and ⁇ 311 ⁇ planes, and particularly the ⁇ 110 ⁇ planes that cause deterioration of bending workability in the surface-strain tensile stress state, and thus suppresses the deterioration of bending workability.
• the S ND at this time is such that S ND ⁇ 0.05.
• the limitation as given in Formula (2) is made because, when cold rolling is performed with a percent reduction in a range that satisfies Formula (2), variations in the degrees of concentration of the ⁇ 100 ⁇ planes, ⁇ 110 ⁇ planes, ⁇ 111 ⁇ planes and ⁇ 311 ⁇ planes are small and stable.
• the S ND at this time is such that it satisfies the relation 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15.
• the tensile strength and 0.2% yield strength are improved, while good strength, 0.2% yield strength and bending workability that typically have a tradeoff relationship are both achieved.
• the low-temperature annealing conditions at this time are that annealing be performed preferably at a temperature 50-250° C. below the recrystallization temperature of the copper-based alloy for 30 minutes to 2 hours, for example, at a temperature of 250-350° C. for 30 minutes to 1 hour, but even outside of these conditions, the desired characteristics can be achieved with temperature and time combinations that apply roughly the same amount of heat to the material.
• the material according to the present invention can be manufactured by the following process. Namely, take an ingot of a copper-based alloy having the indicated elemental composition, and perform a combination process of cold rolling followed by annealing at least one or more times, and then perform intermediate rolling, which is a rolling process before the final cold rolling process, thereby making the x-ray diffraction intensity ratio of the sheet surface S ND such that 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15, and thereafter perform annealing to obtain sheet with a grain size of 20 ⁇ m or less, and then performing the final cold rolling and low-temperature annealing at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature.
• the ingot When homogenization annealing or hot rolling is performed in advance before cold-rolling the ingot, this has the meritorious effect of removing micro or macro segregations in the solute elements that occurred during casting, thus homogenizing the solute element distribution, and in particular, performing hot rolling can make the crystal orientations of the ingot random and make the grains fine and uniform, and moreover this is economically advantageous because the percent rolling reduction can be greatly increased. Accordingly, it is preferable for the ingot to be subjected to at least one of homogenization annealing or hot rolling in advance prior to cold rolling.
• the homogenization annealing and hot rolling should preferably be performed at 750° C.-900° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• the combination process of cold rolling (preferably cold rolling to 50-90% reduction, and more preferably 55-85% reduction) followed by annealing is performed at least one or more times, and then the intermediate rolling, which is a rolling process before the final cold rolling process, is performed, thereafter the x-ray diffraction intensity ratio of the sheet surface S ND is preferably 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15. If 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15, then in the annealing performed immediately thereafter the grain distribution becomes uniform if the annealing is performed above the recrystallization temperature.
• the temperature and time of the annealing are controlled (preferably to 400-700° C. and 0.5 minutes to 10 hours) so that the grain size becomes 20 ⁇ m or less after the annealing, the sheet obtained from the combination of the final cold rolling and annealing below the recrystallization temperature has improved bending workability while maintaining high strength.
• the characteristics with superior balance are a conductivity of 25.0% IACS or greater, or preferably 35.0% IACS or greater, a tensile strength of 560 N/mm 2 or greater, or preferably 580 N/mm 2 or greater, a 0.2% yield strength of 550 N/mm 2 or greater, or preferably 570 N/mm 2 or greater, a spring deflection limit of 400 N/mm 2 or greater, or preferably 460 N/mm 2 or greater, a Vickers hardness of 180 or preferably 190 or greater, and a bending workability (180° bendability R/t) of 1.0 or less, preferably 0.5 or less or even more preferably 0.
• Copper-based alloys numbered 1-15 with their chemical compositions (wt. %) presented in Table 1 were melted in an Ar atmosphere and cast into 40 40 100 (mm) ingots using a carbon ingot mold.
• the ingots thus obtained were cut into 40 40 20 (mm) slices and then subjected to homogenization heat treatment at 900° C. for one hour. Thereafter, the slices were hot-rolled from a sheet thickness of 20 mm to 6.0 mm and then water-quenched and pickled after rolling.
• the details of the conditions for the respective sheets numbered 1-15 thus obtained are presented below.
• Invention Example No. 1 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 1.2 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 1.2 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 2 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.8 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.8 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 3 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 1.0 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 1.0 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 4 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 1.2 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 1.2 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 5 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 1.0 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 1.0 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 6 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 1.2 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 1.2 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 7 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.6 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.6 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Example No. 8 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.6 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.6 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Invention Examples No. 9-10 were cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, they were cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.8 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheets thus obtained were given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.8 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Comparative Example No. 11 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.3 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Comparative Example No. 12 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 1.0 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. Thereafter, it was cold-rolled from a thickness of 1.0 mm to 0.6 mm and heat-treated at 500° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.6 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Comparative Example No. 13 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 0.5 mm and heat-treated at 600° C. for one hour.
• the sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 300° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Comparative Example No. 14 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour.
• the sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 250° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Comparative Example No. 15 was cold-rolled from a thickness of 6.0 mm to 2.5 mm and heat-treated at 550° C. for one hour. The sheet thus obtained was given a finish cold-rolling from a thickness of 2.5 mm to 0.2 mm and then heat-treated for one hour at 350° C., which is below the recrystallization temperature.
• Thickness Percent Percent Thickness after reduction in Thickness reduction Low- after rough Rough intermediate intermediate Finish after finish in finish temperature
• Chemical composition wt.
• Examples No. 1-10 obtained as described above had an average grain size of 6-10 ⁇ m after the 500° C. 1 hour heat treatment before the final cold rolling, and this was below 20 ⁇ m, and when x-ray diffraction of the sheet surface (ND plane) was performed prior to this heat treatment and the S ND was measured, it was found to be 0.06-0.10, or within the range 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15.
• the x-ray diffraction intensity measurement conditions are as follows.
• X-ray tube Cu
• tube voltage 40 kV
• tube current 30 mA
• sampling interval 0.020°
• monochromator used specimen holder: Al
• x-ray diffraction intensity measurement conditions are not limited to the conditions above, but rather they can be modified appropriately depending on the type of sample.
• the grain size is calculated in the present invention based on the JIS H 0501 standard for grains observed on the sample surface (rolled surface) using an optical microscope at a magnification of 200.
• the samples No. 1-15 thus obtained each had dispersed and precipitated Ni—P compounds, but first these samples No. 1-15 were evaluated by measuring the S ND . Then their conductivity, tensile strength and 180° bendability were evaluated. The conductivity and tensile strength were evaluated by measurements based on the JIS H 0505 and JIS Z 2241 standards, respectively. In addition, the bendability was evaluated based on a 180° bend test (JIS H 3110), where a 10-mm wide test piece is blanked in a direction parallel to the rolling direction and the bend inside radius R and sheet thickness t are measured to find the ratio R/t, and the test pieces thus obtained are evaluated based on the smallest value of R/t at which no cracks occurred on the surface of the bend.
• JIS H 3110 180° bend test
• Alloys No. 1-10 according to the present invention have an S ND prior to the finish annealing of 0.06-0.10, so this satisfies the condition 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15, and the grain size after the subsequent annealing is 6-10 ⁇ m, so this satisfies the condition of being less than 20 ⁇ m, and the final sheet also has an S ND of 0.06-0.11, so this satisfies the condition 0.05 ⁇ S ND ⁇ 0.15, and they had superior bending workability and had a superior balance of conductivity and tensile strength.
• Comparative Example No. 11 had a finish rolling percent reduction after the finish annealing that did not satisfy the lower limit of Formula (2), and while its bending workability was satisfactory, its tensile strength was 490 N/mm 2 which was inferior to the tensile strength of Examples No. 1-10 according to the present invention.
• Comparative Examples No. 12 and 13 have a grain size after final annealing in excess of 20 ⁇ m, and their tensile strength was low at 540 N/mm 2 and their bending workability was also inferior.
• Comparative Examples No. 14 and 15 have a finish rolling percent reduction after the finish annealing that did not satisfy the upper limit of Formula (2), and while No. 14 exhibited a high value of 645 N/mm 2 for its tensile strength, its bending workability is inferior.
• No. 15 was aiming for improved bending workability by increasing the low-temperature annealing temperature by 100° C. over that of No. 14, but the bending workability was not improved as much as one would think and the tensile strength dropped to 565 N/mm 2 .
• Alloy No. 3 according to the present invention presented in Table 1 of Example 1 (with a sheet thickness of 0.20 mm) and a commercial phosphor bronze alloy (C5191, grade H, sheet thickness 0.20 mm: 6.5 wt. % Sn, 0.2 wt. % P, remainder Cu) were subjected to an evaluation of their conductivity, tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, springiness, Vickers hardness and bending workability.
• the measurement of the conductivity, tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, spring reflection limit and Vickers hardness were performed according to the JIS H 0505, JIS Z 2241, JIS H 3130 and JIS Z 2241 standards, respectively.
• the bending workability was evaluated based on a 180° bend test (JIS H 3110), where a 10-mm wide test piece is blanked in a direction parallel to the rolling direction and the bend inside radius R and sheet thickness t are measured to find the ratio R/t, and the test pieces thus obtained are evaluated based on the smallest value of R/t at which no cracks occurred on the surface of the bend.
• the results are presented in Table 3.
• the copper-based alloy according to the present invention can be used in narrow-pitch connectors for use in telecommunications, automotive harness connectors, semiconductor lead frames and compact switches and relays and the like.

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