Copper alloys

Abstract

Two copper alloys are provided. The first copper alloy may have 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 may have 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 may also include zirconium to provide additional softening resistance. These copper alloys can easily be drawn or rolled to fine and ultra fine sizes (0.010 inch and smaller) to be used as a single end wire and constructions made therefrom.

1 . A copper alloy consisting essentially of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.005 to 0.25 wt % silver, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper.  
   
   
       2 . The copper alloy of  claim 1 , wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.  
   
   
       3 . The copper alloy of  claim 1 , wherein said silver is present in an amount from 0.05 to 0.20 wt %.  
   
   
       4 . The copper alloy of  claim 1 , wherein said zirconium is present in an amount from 0.005 to 0.015 wt %.  
   
   
       5 . A copper alloy consisting essential of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.01 to 0.12 magnesium, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper.  
   
   
       6 . The copper alloy of  claim 5 , wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.  
   
   
       7 . The copper alloy of  claim 5 , wherein said magnesium is present in an amount from 0.05 to 0.1 wt %.  
   
   
       8 . The copper alloy of  claim 5 , wherein said zirconium is present in an amount from 0.005 to 0.015 wt %.  
   
   
       9 . A wire formed from a copper alloy consisting essentially of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.005 to 0.25 wt % silver, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper, and said wire having a diameter less than 0.010 inches.  
   
   
       10 . The wire of  claim 9 , wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.  
   
   
       11 . The wire of  claim 9 , wherein said silver is present in an amount from 0.05 to 0.20 wt %.  
   
   
       12 . The wire of  claim 9 , wherein said zirconium is present in an amount from 0.005 to 0.015 wt %.  
   
   
       13 . A wire formed from a copper alloy consisting essentially of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.01 to 0.12 wt % magnesium, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper, and said wire having a diameter less than 0.010 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The wire of  claim 13 , wherein said chromium is present in an amount from 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.  
   
   
       15 . The wire of  claim 13 , wherein said magnesium is present in an amount from 0.05 to 0.10 wt %.  
   
   
       16 . The wire of  claim 13 , wherein said zirconium is present in an amount from 0.005 to 0.015 wt %.  
   
   
       17 . A process of manufacturing a copper alloy wire comprising the steps of: 
 providing a copper alloy material containing chromium;    subjecting said copper alloy material to a solutionizing treatment to solutionize a majority of said chromium;    rapidly quenching said copper alloy material after said solutionizing treatment to keep said chromium in solution;    forming said copper alloy material into a wire of an intermediate gauge;    aging said copper alloy material wire to obtain submicron size for precipitated chromium particles; and    forming said copper alloy material wire to a wire having a finish gauge.    
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said copper alloy material providing step comprises providing a material consisting of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.005 to 0.25 wt % silver, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper.  
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said copper alloy material providing step comprises providing a material consisting of from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % chromium, from 0.01 to 0.12 wt % magnesium, up to 0.015 wt % zirconium, and the balance copper.  
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said solutionizing step comprises subjecting said copper alloy material to a temperature in the range of from 925 to 1000° C.  
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said step of forming said material into a wire of intermediate gauge comprises drawing said material into a wire having a diameter in the range of from 0.036 to 0.064 inches.  
   
   
       22 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said aging step comprising subjecting said wire to a temperature in the range of from 450 to 565° C.  
   
   
       23 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said step of forming said wire into a finish gauge comprises drawing said wire to a wire having a diameter less than 0.010 in.  
   
   
       24 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising subjecting said wire at finish gauge to an additional heat treatment at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 510° C.