Copper alloy, method of producing the same, and copper tube

Abstract

Copper alloys, methods for producing copper alloys, and copper tubes are provided. The copper alloys include an alpha solid solution formed from phosphorous deoxidized copper and at least one trace element comprising tin. The content of tin ranges from about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of the copper alloy. The trace element can further include zinc in an amount from about 0.05% to about 1.0% by weight of the copper alloy. The copper alloys have an increased tensile strength due to the strengthening effect by the alpha solid solution formed by phosphorous deoxidized copper and tin as the trace element, and accordingly a copper tube made from the copper alloy has a significantly improved pressure resistance.

1 . A copper alloy comprising:
 an alpha solid solution formed from phosphorus deoxidized copper and at least one trace element comprising tin.   
     
     
         2 . The copper alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the content of tin is from about 0.1 percent to about 2.0 percent by weight of the copper alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The copper alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one trace element further comprises zinc, wherein the content of zinc is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of the copper alloy. 
     
     
         4 . A method for producing a copper alloy, comprising:
 pre-heating at least one trace element comprising tin to substantially remove moisture present in the trace element;   adding the trace element to a molten solution of phosphorous deoxidized copper; and   homogenizing, casting, and cooling the molten solution comprising the trace element to produce a copper alloy comprising an alpha solid solution.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of adding the trace element to the molten solution of phosphorous deoxidized copper comprises adding tin to the molten solution of phosphorous deoxidized copper, wherein the content of tin is from about 0.1 percent to about 2.0 percent by weight of the alloy to be produced. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one trace element further comprises zinc, and wherein the step of adding the trace elements to the molten solution of phosphorous deoxidized copper further comprises adding zinc to the molten solution of phosphorous deoxidized copper, wherein the content of zinc is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of the alloy to be produced. 
     
     
         7 . A copper tube comprising:
 a copper alloy comprising an alpha solid solution formed from phosphorus deoxidized copper and at least one trace element comprising tin.   
     
     
         8 . The copper tube of  claim 7 , wherein the content of tin is from about 0.1 percent to about 2.0 percent by weight of the copper alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The copper tube of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one trace element further comprises zinc, wherein the content of zinc is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of the copper alloy.