A copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to arc erosion and its preparation method

Abstract

This invention provides a copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties and its preparation method. The copper-iron alloy strip comprises, by weight percentage: Fe: 10-20%, Te: 0.1-1.2%, and the balance Cu. The preparation method includes: melting and casting, solution treatment, hot forging, first cold rolling, aging treatment, and second cold rolling. The prepared copper-iron alloy strip has the following beneficial effects: strong anti-arc erosion properties; and lower raw material and preparation costs due to the high Fe content.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of live-line working technology, specifically to a copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of electronic technology, the applications and usage of connectors such as terminal blocks, relays, contactors, and contacts are increasing. Currently, high-power connectors often employ low voltage and high current, which significantly increases power loss during transmission and raises the ambient temperature. Higher power transmission is an industry trend, and simply increasing the current is no longer sufficient to meet practical needs, i.e., it cannot support high-voltage, high-current power transmission. If high voltage and high current are used, strong electric arcs will be generated during the mating and disassembly of the contact pairs. An electric arc is actually the ionization of gas between the contact pairs under the influence of a strong electric field. It generates high temperatures and emits intense light, burning the contacts and, in severe cases, injuring people or causing fires. How to avoid the hazards of electric arcs in high-voltage connectors is one of the problems that must be solved in the practical application of connectors.

[0003] Currently, over 90% of connectors are made of copper alloy strip, therefore, the development of connectors is inevitably inseparable from the development and innovation of copper alloy strip. At present, the most widely used copper alloys for connectors are beryllium copper alloys, copper-nickel-silicon alloys, and tin-phosphorus bronze alloys. Among them, tin-phosphorus bronze is widely used due to its low price, but it suffers from poor resistance to arc erosion. Beryllium copper alloys are restricted in use due to their toxicity, while the quality of copper-nickel-silicon alloy ingots is difficult to control, prone to problems such as porosity, cracking, and slagging, and also has high manufacturing costs.

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned defects, this invention proposes a copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties and its preparation method. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the above description, the present invention provides a copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties and its preparation method, so as to solve the technical problems of high manufacturing cost, difficult quality control and poor anti-arc erosion properties of copper alloys for connectors in the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties, comprising: the alloy chemical composition by weight percentage as follows: Fe: 10-20%, Te: 0.1-1.2%, and the balance being Cu.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0009] Furthermore, the copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties has a hardness of 120-145 Hv and a conductivity of 46-55% IACS.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a method for preparing a copper-iron alloy strip with arc erosion resistance as described in the first aspect, comprising:

[0011] Pure Cu blocks, pure Fe blocks, and pure Te granules are mixed together, and the mixed materials are melted and cast to obtain the initial product;

[0012] The initial product is subjected to a solution treatment to obtain a solution-treated product;

[0013] The solution-treated product is subjected to hot forging to obtain a forged product;

[0014] The forged product is subjected to a first cold rolling process to obtain a cold-rolled product;

[0015] The cold-rolled product is subjected to aging treatment to obtain an aged product;

[0016] The aged product is subjected to a second cold rolling process to obtain a copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0018] Furthermore, before the pure Cu blocks, pure Fe blocks, and pure Te particles are mixed, the process also includes:

[0019] The pure Cu block, the pure Fe block, and the pure Te particles are subjected to degreasing and drying treatment.

[0020] Furthermore, the process of melting and casting the prepared materials specifically includes:

[0021] The prepared materials were melted under argon protection;

[0022] The molten material is poured into a mold, and cooling water is circulated into the mold during the casting process.

[0023] The mold is a pure copper mold.

[0024] Furthermore, the melting temperature for melting the prepared materials is 1380–1430°C, and the holding time is 10 minutes.

[0025] Furthermore, the solution treatment of the initial product specifically includes:

[0026] The primary product was subjected to segmented solution treatment using a muffle furnace;

[0027] The solution treatment temperature for the first stage is 800℃, and the holding time is 2.5h.

[0028] The solution treatment temperature for the second stage is 930℃, and the holding time is 1 hour.

[0029] Furthermore, the first cold rolling treatment of the forged product specifically includes:

[0030] The forged product is rolled using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 20% and 3 or 4 rolling passes.

[0031] Furthermore, the aging treatment of the cold-rolled product specifically includes:

[0032] The cold-rolled product was aged in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 400°C for 2 hours.

[0033] Furthermore, the second cold rolling treatment of the aged product specifically includes:

[0034] The aged product is rolled using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 16.7% and 3 or 4 rolling passes.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0036] The copper-iron alloy strip with arc erosion resistance provided by this invention contains a high Fe content compared to existing technologies, thereby reducing raw material costs. Furthermore, a certain amount of Te is added, which effectively improves the strip's arc erosion resistance, thus developing a new type of high-iron copper-iron alloy strip with arc erosion resistance. Therefore, this copper-iron alloy strip has the following beneficial effects: 1. Stronger arc erosion resistance; 2. Lower raw material and preparation costs due to the higher Fe content. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties provided by the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 The above figures show the comparison of sample test results for Examples 1-3, Comparative Examples, and Commercial Examples provided by this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application will be thorough and complete.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0041] Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0042] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiments will be described in further detail below to illustrate the implementation of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties comprises: its alloy chemical composition by weight percentage as follows: Fe: 10-20%, Te: 0.1-1.2%, and the balance being Cu. The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties has a hardness of 120-145 Hv and a conductivity of 46-55% IACS.

[0044] Its preparation method is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the process includes: melting and casting, solution treatment, hot forging, first cold rolling, aging treatment, and second cold rolling.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] A copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion has the following alloy chemical composition by weight percentage: Fe: 15%, Te: 0.3%, and the balance being Cu.

[0047] The preparation method of the high-strength, heat-resistant, and conductive copper alloy strip in this embodiment is as follows:

[0048] Step S1: Melting and Casting

[0049] The degreased and dried pure Cu blocks (purity ≥99.9%), pure Fe blocks (purity ≥99.9%), and pure Te particles (purity ≥99.9%) were mixed in the following ratio: Fe: 15%, Te: 0.3%, and the balance was Cu. The mixed materials were then placed inside a vacuum induction furnace for melting at a temperature of 1390℃ for 10 minutes, with argon gas used for protection.

[0050] It should be noted that the casting mold cannot be made of graphite, but must be made of pure copper, and cooling water is circulated inside the casting mold.

[0051] Step S2: Solution treatment

[0052] The sample was subjected to segmented solution treatment using a muffle furnace. The first stage solution treatment temperature was 800℃ and the holding time was 2.5h. The second stage solution treatment temperature was 930℃ and the holding time was 1h.

[0053] Step S3: Hot forging treatment

[0054] The sample was hot-forged using a hot forging mill. The holding temperature before hot forging was 950℃, the holding time was 0.5h, the hot forging deformation was about 50%, and the forging passes were 4.

[0055] Step S4: First cold rolling

[0056] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 20% and 4 rolling passes.

[0057] Step S5: Time-sensitive processing

[0058] The samples were aged in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 400℃ for 2 hours, followed by water cooling.

[0059] Step S6: Second cold rolling

[0060] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 16.7% and a rolling pass of 4 passes.

[0061] The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties described in this embodiment has a hardness of 134.9 Hv and a conductivity of 52.8% IACS.

[0062] Example 2

[0063] A copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion has the following alloy chemical composition by weight percentage: Fe: 15%, Te: 0.8%, and the balance being Cu.

[0064] The preparation method of the high-strength, heat-resistant, and conductive copper alloy strip in this embodiment is as follows:

[0065] Step S1: Melting and Casting

[0066] The degreased and dried pure Cu blocks (purity ≥99.9%), pure Fe blocks (purity ≥99.9%), and pure Te particles (purity ≥99.9%) were mixed in the following ratio: Fe: 15%, Te: 0.8%, and the balance was Cu. The mixed materials were then placed inside a vacuum induction furnace for melting at a temperature of 1390℃ for 10 minutes, with argon gas used for protection.

[0067] It should be noted that the casting mold cannot be made of graphite, but must be made of pure copper, and cooling water is circulated inside the casting mold.

[0068] Step S2: Solution treatment

[0069] The sample was subjected to segmented solution treatment using a muffle furnace. The first stage solution treatment temperature was 800℃ and the holding time was 2.5h. The second stage solution treatment temperature was 930℃ and the holding time was 1h.

[0070] Step S3: Hot forging treatment

[0071] The sample was hot-forged using a hot forging mill. The holding temperature before hot forging was 950℃, the holding time was 0.5h, the hot forging deformation was about 50%, and the forging passes were 4.

[0072] Step S4: First cold rolling

[0073] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 20% and 4 rolling passes.

[0074] Step S5: Time-sensitive processing

[0075] The samples were aged in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 400℃ for 2 hours, followed by water cooling.

[0076] Step S6: Second cold rolling

[0077] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 16.7% and a rolling pass of 4 passes.

[0078] The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties described in this embodiment has a hardness of 136 Hv and a conductivity of 53.7% IACS.

[0079] Example 3

[0080] A copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion has the following alloy chemical composition by weight percentage: Fe: 15%, Te: 1.2%, and the balance being Cu.

[0081] The preparation method of the high-strength, heat-resistant, and conductive copper alloy strip in this embodiment is as follows:

[0082] Step S1: Melting and Casting

[0083] The degreased and dried pure Cu blocks (purity ≥99.9%), pure Fe blocks (purity ≥99.9%), and pure Te particles (purity ≥99.9%) were mixed in the following ratio: Fe: 15%, Te: 1.2%, and the balance was Cu. The mixed materials were then placed inside a vacuum induction furnace for melting at a temperature of 1390℃ for 10 minutes, with argon gas used for protection.

[0084] It should be noted that the casting mold cannot be made of graphite, but must be made of pure copper, and cooling water is circulated inside the casting mold.

[0085] Step S2: Solution treatment

[0086] The sample was subjected to segmented solution treatment using a muffle furnace. The first stage solution treatment temperature was 800℃ and the holding time was 2.5h. The second stage solution treatment temperature was 930℃ and the holding time was 1h.

[0087] Step S3: Hot forging treatment

[0088] The sample was hot-forged using a hot forging mill. The holding temperature before hot forging was 950℃, the holding time was 0.5h, the hot forging deformation was about 50%, and the forging passes were 4.

[0089] Step S4: First cold rolling

[0090] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 20% and 4 rolling passes.

[0091] Step S5: Time-sensitive processing

[0092] The samples were aged in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 400℃ for 2 hours, followed by water cooling.

[0093] Step S6: Second cold rolling

[0094] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 16.7% and a rolling pass of 4 passes.

[0095] The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties described in this embodiment has a hardness of 128 Hv and a conductivity of 54.2% IACS.

[0096] Comparative Example

[0097] A copper-iron alloy strip, the alloy chemical composition by weight percentage is: Fe: 15%, balance Cu.

[0098] The preparation method of the high-strength, heat-resistant, and conductive copper alloy strip in this embodiment is as follows:

[0099] Step S1: Melting and Casting

[0100] Degreased and dried pure Cu blocks (purity ≥ 99.9%) and pure Fe blocks (purity ≥ 99.9%) were mixed together, with Fe accounting for 15% and the remainder being Cu. The mixed materials were then placed inside a vacuum induction furnace for melting at a temperature of 1400℃ for 10 minutes, with argon gas used for protection.

[0101] It should be noted that the casting mold cannot be made of graphite, but must be made of pure copper, and cooling water is circulated inside the casting mold.

[0102] Step S2: Solution treatment

[0103] The samples were subjected to segmented solution treatment in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 950℃ for 3 hours.

[0104] Step S3: Hot forging treatment

[0105] The sample was hot-forged using a hot forging mill. The holding temperature before hot forging was 950℃, the holding time was 0.5h, the hot forging deformation was about 50%, and the forging passes were 4.

[0106] Step S4: Cold rolling

[0107] The rolling process is carried out using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 33% and a rolling pass of 4 passes.

[0108] The copper-iron alloy strip described in this comparative example has a hardness of 126 Hv and a conductivity of 49% IACS.

[0109] Table of Results of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples

[0110] alloy Comparative Example Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 hardness 126 134.9 136 128 electrical conductivity 49 52.8 53.7 54.2

[0111] Based on the above embodiments and comparative examples, as well as the results table, it can be seen from the tests that the samples prepared in Examples 1 to 3 show a slight decrease in hardness and a slight increase in conductivity as the Te content increases. This is because the addition of Te causes Te to dissolve into the copper matrix and precipitate during the subsequent aging process, resulting in a slight increase in conductivity.

[0112] Combined with appendix Figure 2 The arc erosion resistance of different samples was analyzed. It can be seen that the arc erosion area at the center of the comparative sample is large and deep, and the surrounding heat-affected zone is large. For Examples 1 to 3, as the Te content increases, the arc erosion area at the center of the sample gradually decreases, the depth also becomes shallower, and the surrounding heat-affected zone shrinks. The commercial tin-phosphorus bronze QSn6.5-0.1 has a large and deep arc erosion area, indicating that the arc erosion resistance of the copper-iron alloy strip with arc erosion resistance provided in this example is significantly improved compared with the prior art.

[0113] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "specific example" or "some examples" refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example that are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0114] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to arc erosion, characterized in that, include: The alloy's chemical composition by weight percentage is: Fe: 10-20%, Te: 0.1-1.2%, with the balance being Cu; The preparation method of the copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc ablation properties includes the following steps: Pure Cu blocks, pure Fe blocks, and pure Te granules are mixed together, and the mixed materials are melted and cast to obtain the initial product; The initial product is subjected to a solution treatment to obtain a solution-treated product; The solution-treated product is subjected to hot forging to obtain a forged product; The forged product is subjected to a first cold rolling process to obtain a cold-rolled product; The cold-rolled product is subjected to aging treatment to obtain an aged product; The aged product is subjected to a second cold rolling process to obtain a copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion.

2. The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties according to claim 1, characterized in that, The copper-iron alloy strip with anti-arc erosion properties has a hardness of 128-145 Hv and a conductivity of 50-55% IACS.

3. A method for preparing a copper-iron alloy strip with arc erosion resistance as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Pure Cu blocks, pure Fe blocks, and pure Te granules are mixed together, and the mixed materials are melted and cast to obtain the initial product; The initial product is subjected to a solution treatment to obtain a solution-treated product; The solution-treated product is subjected to hot forging to obtain a forged product; The forged product is subjected to a first cold rolling process to obtain a cold-rolled product; The cold-rolled product is subjected to aging treatment to obtain an aged product; The aged product is subjected to a second cold rolling process to obtain a copper-iron alloy strip with resistance to electric arc erosion.

4. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before the process of mixing pure Cu blocks, pure Fe blocks, and pure Te particles, the method further includes: The pure Cu block, the pure Fe block, and the pure Te particles are subjected to degreasing and drying treatment.

5. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The process of melting and casting the prepared materials specifically includes: The prepared materials were melted under argon protection; The molten material is poured into a mold, and cooling water is circulated into the mold during the casting process. The mold is a pure copper mold.

6. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The prepared materials are smelted at a temperature of 1380~1430℃ for 10 minutes.

7. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The initial product undergoes a solution treatment, specifically including: The primary product was subjected to segmented solution treatment using a muffle furnace; The solution treatment temperature for the first stage is 800℃, and the holding time is 2.5h. The solution treatment temperature for the second stage is 930℃, and the holding time is 1 hour.

8. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first cold rolling process for the forged product specifically includes: The forged product is rolled using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 20% and 3 or 4 rolling passes.

9. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aging treatment of the cold-rolled product specifically includes: The cold-rolled product was aged in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 400°C for 2 hours.

10. The preparation method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second cold rolling treatment of the aged product specifically includes: The aged product is rolled using a cold rolling mill, with a cold rolling deformation of 16.7% and 3 or 4 rolling passes.

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