Copper alloy for slide fasteners having excellent continuous castability

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a copper alloy for slide fasteners which has excellent whiteness, does not contain nickel and hence does not have the problem of nickel allergy, and has excellent continuous castability and casting quality. The composition of the alloy for slide fasteners is represented by the general formula Cu a Zn b Mn c , wherein regarding a, b and c, in mass %, 10≦b≦20, 8≦c≦15, and a is a remainder, with unavoidable impurities being contained. Moreover, the structure of the alloy is preferably made to be a single α phase at room temperature, and the surface of the alloy is plated.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A copper alloy for slide fasteners having excellent continuous castability, having a composition represented by a general formula Cu a Zn b Mn c , wherein regarding a, b and c, in mass %, 10≦b≦20, 8≦c≦15, and a is a remainder, with unavoidable impurities being contained.  
     
     
         2 . A copper alloy for slide fasteners according to  claim 1 , wherein a color tone such that a* and b*, which represent a color tone as stipulated in JIS Z 8729, satisfy 0<a*<2 and 7<b*<16.  
     
     
         3 . A copper alloy for slide fasteners according to  claim 1 , being a single α phase at room temperature.  
     
     
         4 . A copper alloy for slide fasteners according to  claim 1 , a surface thereof being plated.  
     
     
         5 . An element, which is a constituent member of a slide fastener, comprising the copper alloy for slide fasteners according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . A stop, which is a constituent member of a slide fastener, comprising the copper alloy for slide fasteners according to  claim 1.