Metal structure and method for production thereof

Abstract

A metal structure according to the present invention is unlikely to become brittle and has excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that annealing has been applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. This metal structure includes at least two kinds of metal material, and annealing can be applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. For example, the present invention is advantageous in the manner of a microstructure for a contact probe. A fabricating method according to the present invention is a method of fabricating a metal structure unlikely to become brittle and having excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that the step of applying annealing at at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger is included.

1 . A metal structure unlikely to become brittle and having excellent hardness and creep resistance, wherein annealing has been applied at a temperature not more than a temperature at which crystals of a metal material start to become larger.  
   
   
       2 . The metal structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal structure is formed of at least two kinds of metal material, and annealing has been applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger.  
   
   
       3 . The metal structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal structure is a microstructure.  
   
   
       4 . The metal structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal structure is a contact probe.  
   
   
       5 . A method of fabricating a metal structure unlikely to become brittle and having excellent hardness and creep resistance, wherein the method comprises the step of applying annealing at at a temperature not more than a temperature at which crystals of a metal material start to become larger.