Copper alloy and copper alloy manufacturing method

Abstract

A copper alloy having an electrical resistivity lower than those of current copper alloys and a tensile strength higher than those of current copper alloys and a method of manufacturing such a copper alloy are provided. The copper alloy is produced by adding a predetermined amount of carbon to a molten copper in a high-temperature environment of a temperature in the range of 1200° C. to 1250° C. such that the copper alloy has a carbon content in the range of 0.01% to 0.6% by weight.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A copper alloy produced by adding a predetermined amount of carbon to molten copper in a high-temperature environment such that the copper alloy has a carbon content in the range of 0.01% to 0.6% by weight,
 wherein the carbon is graphite of the hexagonal system, and   wherein a carbon dispersant for promoting the diffusion of carbon in copper in a high-temperature environment is added together with the carbon to copper.   
     
     
         16 . The copper alloy according to  claim 15 , wherein the temperature of the high-temperature environment is in the range of 1200° C. to 1250° C. 
     
     
         17 . The copper alloy according to  claim 15 , wherein the copper alloy has the carbon content in the range of 0.03% to 0.3% by weight.