Copper base alloy that contains intermetallic constituents rich in calcium and/or magnesium

Abstract

An alloy is provided containing by weight about 1 to 7% bismuth, up to 45% zinc, up to 20% tin, up to 30% nickel, up to 3% selenium, up to 2% aluminum, up to 2% antimony, up to 1% iron, up to 1% lead, up to 2% phosphorus, up to 2% carbon, and calcium and magnesium, singularly or in combination, from 0.02 to 2.0%, and the remainder copper and incidental impurities. The method for producing such an alloy is also provided.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . An alloy comprising: 
 bismuth in an amount of about 1% to about 7% by weight of the alloy;    zinc in an amount of 0 to about 45% by weight of the alloy;    tin in an amount of 0 to about 20% by weight of the alloy;    calcium and magnesium, in an amount combined from about 0.02% to about 2.0% by weight of the alloy; and    copper in an amount of 27% to about 98.8% by weight of the alloy.    
     
     
         2 . The alloy defined in  claim 1 , further including antimony.  
     
     
         3 . The alloy defined in  claim 1 , further including lead.  
     
     
         4 . The alloy defined in  claim 1 , where said bismuth, calcium, and magnesium are melt added to the remaining components of the alloy.  
     
     
         5 . A method for producing a pre-alloy comprising the steps of: 
 (a) melting and superheating bismuth;    (b) placing granular calcium carbide on top of the molten bismuth;    (c) replenishing the calcium carbide until saturation is reached; and    (d) plunging magnesium into the bismuth melt.    
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 5 , wherein said bismuth is melted and superheated at a temperature of about 2000° F.  
     
     
         7 . A plumbing component made of an alloy comprising: 
 bismuth in an amount of about 1% to about 7% by weight of the alloy;    zinc in an amount of 0 to about 45% by weight of the alloy;    tin in an amount of 0 to about 20% by weight of the alloy;    calcium and magnesium, in an amount combined from about 0.01% to about 2.0% by weight of the alloy; and    copper in an amount of 27% to about 98.9% by weight of the alloy.    
     
     
         8 . The plumbing component of  claim 7 , further including antimony.  
     
     
         9 . The plumbing component of  claim 7 , further including lead.  
     
     
         10 . The plumbing component of  claim 7 , where said bismuth, calcium, and magnesium are melt added to the remaining components of the alloy.  
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a no-lead alloy comprising the steps of: 
 (a) melting and superheating bismuth;    (b) placing granular calcium carbide on top of the molten bismuth;    (c) replenishing the calcium carbide until saturation is reached;    (d) plunging magnesium into the bismuth melt to form a pre-alloy;    (e) melting copper;    (f) adding zinc to the copper; and    (g) adding said pre-alloy to said melted copper and zinc.    
     
     
         12 . The method defined in  claim 11 , further including the step of adding tin to said melted copper before the addition of zinc.  
     
     
         13 . The method defined in  claim 11 , wherein said bismuth is melted and superheated at about 2000° F.  
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 13 , wherein said bismuth is melted in an electric coreless furnace.  
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 11 , further including the step of adding antimony to the alloy.  
     
     
         16 . A no-lead alloy comprising: 
 about 68% copper by weight of the alloy;    about 28% zinc by weight of the alloy;    about 2% bismuth by weight of the alloy;    about 1% tin by weight of the alloy;    about 0.5% magnesium by weight of the alloy; and    about 0.5% calcium by weight of the alloy.