Copper alloys, copper alloy plastic processing materials, electronic and electrical equipment parts, terminals, bus bars, lead frames, heat dissipation substrates

A copper alloy with controlled Mg and impurity content, along with specific crystal orientation, addresses the balance of conductivity and heat resistance, enabling high-performance components in electronic devices.

JP7793982B2Active Publication Date: 2026-01-06MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORP
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021214029
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-12-28
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Estimated Expiration
2041-12-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing copper materials used in electronic and electrical devices face challenges in achieving a balance between high electrical conductivity and heat resistance, particularly in high-temperature environments, as adding solute elements to improve heat resistance often compromises conductivity, and pure copper lacks sufficient heat resistance.

Method used

A copper alloy composition with controlled Mg content (10-100 massppm) and limited impurities (S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, As) is formulated, along with a specific crystal orientation distribution, ensuring high electrical conductivity (97% IACS or more) and heat resistance (260°C or higher) by controlling Mg dissolution and grain boundary segregation.

Benefits of technology

The copper alloy achieves both high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance, suitable for high-current and high-temperature applications, maintaining performance in electronic and electrical components like terminals, bus bars, and heat dissipation substrates.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007793982000007
    Figure 0007793982000007
  • Figure 0007793982000008
    Figure 0007793982000008
  • Figure 0007793982000001
    Figure 0007793982000001
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a copper alloy having high conductivity and excellent heat resistance.SOLUTION: A copper alloy has the content of Mg of more than 10 mass ppm and 100 mass ppm or less, the balance Cu with inevitable impurities, the content of S of 10 mass ppm or less, the content of P of 10 mass ppm or less, the content of Se of 5 mass ppm or less, the content of Te of 5 mass ppm or less, the content of Sb of 5 mass ppm or less, the content of Bi of 5 mass ppm or less, the content of As of 5 mass ppm or less, the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi and As of 30 mass ppm or less, a mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] of 0.6 or more and 50 or less, conductivity of 97% IACS or more, an average value of orientation densities at φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, Φ=35°to 55° of 1.3 or more and less than 20.0, and an area ratio of crystals having crystal orientation of 10° or less with respect to S orientation {123}<634> of 10% or less.SELECTED DRAWING: None
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a copper alloy suitable for electronic and electric device parts such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates, and to a copper alloy plastically processed material made of this copper alloy, and electronic and electric device parts, terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, highly conductive copper or copper alloys have been used for components of electronic and electrical devices such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation members. As the currents of electronic and electrical devices increase, efforts are being made to increase the size and thickness of the electronic and electrical device components used in these electronic and electrical devices in order to reduce current density and dissipate heat caused by Joule heating.

[0003] To cope with large currents, pure copper materials such as oxygen-free copper, which have excellent electrical conductivity, are used in the above-mentioned electronic and electrical equipment components. However, due to the heat generated when current is applied and the high temperatures in the operating environment, copper materials with excellent heat resistance, i.e., the ability to withstand high temperatures without losing hardness, are required. However, pure copper materials lack these properties, making them unsuitable for use in high-temperature environments. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a copper rolled sheet containing Mg in the range of 0.005 mass % or more and less than 0.1 mass %.

[0004] The copper rolled sheet described in Patent Document 1 contains 0.005 mass% or more but less than 0.1 mass% of Mg, with the remainder consisting of Cu and unavoidable impurities. By dissolving Mg in the copper matrix, it was possible to improve the strength and heat resistance without significantly reducing the electrical conductivity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-056414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, since the heat resistance of these materials is improved by adding solute elements, their electrical conductivity is inferior to that of pure copper. Recently, there has been a demand for further improvement in the electrical conductivity of copper materials used in the above-mentioned electronic and electrical equipment components, in order to adequately suppress heat generation when large currents are passed through them, and so that they can be used in applications where pure copper materials were previously used. Furthermore, since the above-mentioned electronic and electrical equipment components are often used in high-temperature environments such as engine compartments, the copper materials that make up these components must have improved heat resistance compared to conventional materials. In other words, copper materials with a good balance of improved electrical conductivity and heat resistance are required.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a copper alloy, a copper alloy plastically worked material, an electronic / electronic device component, a terminal, a bus bar, a lead frame, and a heat dissipation substrate, which have high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve this problem, the inventors conducted extensive research and discovered that in order to achieve a good balance between high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance, it is possible to improve electrical conductivity and heat resistance to a higher level than ever before by adding a small amount of Mg, regulating the content of elements that form compounds with Mg, and further controlling the structure in accordance with the composition.

[0009] The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and the copper alloy of the present invention has a composition in which the Mg content is in the range of more than 10 massppm and not more than 100 massppm, with the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities, and among the unavoidable impurities, the S content is not more than 10 massppm, the P content is not more than 10 massppm, the Se content is not more than 5 massppm, the Te content is not more than 5 massppm, the Sb content is not more than 5 massppm, the Bi content is not more than 5 massppm, and the As content is not more than 5 massppm. The content of Mg is defined as [Mg] and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is defined as [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As], the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is within the range of 0.6 to 50, the electrical conductivity is 97% IACS or higher, and when the crystal orientation distribution function obtained from texture analysis using the EBSD method is expressed as Euler angles, the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, and φ=35° to 55° is 1.3 to less than 20.0, and the S orientation {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals having a crystal orientation within 10° of the above is 10% or less.

[0010] In the copper alloy having this configuration, the contents of Mg and the elements S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As that form compounds with Mg are specified as described above. Therefore, the trace amount of Mg added dissolves in the copper matrix, thereby improving the heat resistance without significantly reducing the electrical conductivity; specifically, the electrical conductivity can be made 97% IACS or more. Furthermore, since the crystal structure is controlled so that the orientation density and S orientation are within the above-mentioned ranges, recovery and recrystallization due to dislocation movement are unlikely to occur, making it possible to sufficiently improve heat resistance.

[0011] In the copper alloy of the present invention, the Ag content is preferably within the range of 5 massppm to 20 massppm. In this case, since Ag is contained within the above range, Ag segregates near the grain boundaries, grain boundary diffusion is suppressed, and heat resistance can be further improved.

[0012] In addition, the copper alloy of the present invention preferably has a heat-resistant temperature of 260° C. or higher. In this case, the heat resistance temperature is set to 260°C or higher, so the heat resistance is sufficiently excellent and it can be used stably even in high temperature environments.

[0013] The plastically worked copper alloy material of the present invention is characterized by being made of the above-mentioned copper alloy. The copper alloy plastically processed material having this configuration is made of the above-mentioned copper alloy, and therefore has excellent electrical conductivity and heat resistance, making it particularly suitable as a material for electronic and electrical equipment components such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates used in high current applications and high temperature environments.

[0014] Here, the plastically worked copper alloy material of the present invention may be a deformed strip. In this case, even if the strip is subjected to intensive processing to form a deformed strip having different thicknesses in cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, sufficient heat resistance can be ensured.

[0015] The plastically worked copper alloy material of the present invention preferably has a metal plating layer on the surface. In this case, since the surface has a metal plating layer, it is particularly suitable as a material for parts of electronic and electrical devices such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation members.

[0016] The electronic / electrical device parts of the present invention are characterized by being made of the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material. The electronic / electrical device parts of the present invention include terminals, bus bars, lead frames, heat dissipation substrates, etc. The electronic / electrical device parts having this configuration are manufactured using the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material, and therefore can exhibit excellent properties even in large current applications and high temperature environments.

[0017] The terminal of the present invention is characterized by being made of the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material. The terminal having this configuration is manufactured using the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material, and therefore can exhibit excellent characteristics even in large current applications and high temperature environments.

[0018] The bus bar of the present invention is characterized by being made of the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material. The bus bar having this configuration is manufactured using the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material, and therefore can exhibit excellent characteristics even in large current applications and high temperature environments.

[0019] The lead frame of the present invention is characterized by being made of the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material. The lead frame having this configuration is manufactured using the above-mentioned plastically worked copper alloy material, and therefore can exhibit excellent characteristics even in large current applications and high temperature environments.

[0020] The heat dissipation substrate of the present invention is characterized by being made of the above-mentioned copper alloy plastically worked material. The heat dissipation board having this configuration is manufactured using the above-mentioned copper alloy plastically processed material, and therefore can exhibit excellent characteristics even in large current applications and high temperature environments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide copper alloys, copper alloy plastically processed materials, electronic and electronic equipment components, terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates that have high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a copper alloy (plastically worked copper alloy) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a flow diagram of a method for producing a copper alloy according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, a copper alloy according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The copper alloy of this embodiment is most suitable for use as a material for parts of electronic and electric devices such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates. The plastically worked copper alloy material of this embodiment is made of the copper alloy of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the plastically worked copper alloy material 10 of this embodiment is a modified strip having a thick portion 11 and a thin portion 12 of different thicknesses in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0024] The copper alloy of this embodiment has a composition in which the Mg content is in the range of more than 10 massppm and not more than 100 massppm, with the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities, and of the unavoidable impurities, the S content is 10 massppm or less, the P content is 10 massppm or less, the Se content is 5 massppm or less, the Te content is 5 massppm or less, the Sb content is 5 massppm or less, the Bi content is 5 massppm or less, and the As content is 5 massppm or less, and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is 30 massppm or less.

[0025] If the content of Mg is defined as [Mg] and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is defined as [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As], the mass ratio thereof [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is within the range of 0.6 or more and 50 or less. In the copper alloy of this embodiment, the Ag content may be in the range of 5 massppm to 20 massppm.

[0026] Furthermore, the copper alloy of this embodiment has a conductivity of 97% IACS or more. Furthermore, in the copper alloy of this embodiment, it is preferable that the heat-resistant temperature is 260° C. or higher.

[0027] In the copper alloy of this embodiment, when the crystal orientation distribution function obtained from the texture analysis by the EBSD method is expressed in terms of Euler angles, the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, and Φ=35° to 55° is 1.3 or more and less than 20.0. Furthermore, in the copper alloy of this embodiment, the S orientation {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals with a crystal orientation within 10° of the above is set to 10% or less.

[0028] Here, the reasons for specifying the component composition, various properties, and crystalline structure of the copper alloy of this embodiment as described above will be explained below.

[0029] (Mg) Mg is an element that has the effect of improving the heat resistance temperature by dissolving in the copper matrix without significantly reducing the electrical conductivity. If the Mg content is 10 massppm or less, the effect of the Mg may not be fully exhibited, whereas if the Mg content exceeds 100 massppm, the electrical conductivity may decrease. For the above reasons, in this embodiment, the Mg content is set to a range of more than 10 massppm and not more than 100 massppm.

[0030] In order to further improve the heat resistance temperature, the lower limit of the Mg content is preferably set to 20 massppm or more, more preferably 30 massppm or more, and even more preferably 40 massppm or more. In order to further increase the electrical conductivity, the upper limit of the Mg content is preferably set to 90 massppm or less, more preferably to 80 massppm or less, and even more preferably to 70 massppm or less.

[0031] (S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, As) The elements S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As mentioned above are generally elements that are easily mixed into copper alloys. These elements are likely to react with Mg to form compounds, which may reduce the solid solution effect of trace amounts of Mg added. For this reason, the content of these elements must be strictly controlled. Therefore, in this embodiment, the S content is limited to 10 massppm or less, the P content is limited to 10 massppm or less, the Se content is limited to 5 massppm or less, the Te content is limited to 5 massppm or less, the Sb content is limited to 5 massppm or less, the Bi content is limited to 5 massppm or less, and the As content is limited to 5 massppm or less. Furthermore, the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is limited to 30 mass ppm or less.

[0032] The S content is preferably 9 massppm or less, and more preferably 8 massppm or less. The P content is preferably 6 massppm or less, and more preferably 3 massppm or less. The Se content is preferably 4 massppm or less, and more preferably 2 massppm or less. The Te content is preferably 4 massppm or less, and more preferably 2 massppm or less. The Sb content is preferably 4 massppm or less, and more preferably 2 massppm or less. The Bi content is preferably 4 massppm or less, and more preferably 2 massppm or less. The As content is preferably 4 massppm or less, and more preferably 2 massppm or less. Furthermore, the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is preferably 24 massppm or less, and more preferably 18 massppm or less.

[0033] ([Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As]) As described above, elements such as S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As easily react with Mg to form compounds, and therefore in this embodiment, the form of Mg is controlled by specifying the ratio of the Mg content to the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As. If the content of Mg is [Mg] and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As], when the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] exceeds 50, excessive Mg exists in the copper in a solid solution state, which may reduce electrical conductivity. On the other hand, when the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is less than 0.6, Mg is not sufficiently dissolved, which may result in an insufficient improvement in the heat-resistant temperature. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is set within the range of 0.6 to 50.

[0034] In order to further increase the conductivity, the upper limit of the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is preferably set to 35 or less, and more preferably set to 25 or less. In order to further improve the heat resistance, the lower limit of the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is preferably set to 0.8 or more, and more preferably set to 1.0 or more.

[0035] (Ag: 5 massppm or more and 20 massppm or less) Ag is hardly able to dissolve in the Cu matrix at temperatures below 250°C, the temperature range in which ordinary electronic and electrical equipment is used. Therefore, when a small amount of Ag is added to copper, it segregates near the grain boundaries. This prevents the movement of atoms at the grain boundaries, suppressing grain boundary diffusion and improving heat resistance. When the Ag content is 5 massppm or more, the effect can be fully achieved, whereas when the Ag content is 20 massppm or less, the electrical conductivity is ensured and the increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed. For the above reasons, in this embodiment, the Ag content is set within the range of 5 massppm to 20 massppm.

[0036] In order to further improve heat resistance, the lower limit of the Ag content is preferably 6 massppm or more, more preferably 7 massppm or more, and even more preferably 8 massppm or more. In order to reliably suppress a decrease in conductivity and an increase in cost, the upper limit of the Ag content is preferably 18 massppm or less, more preferably 16 massppm or less, and even more preferably 14 massppm or less. When Ag is not intentionally added, the Ag content may be less than 5 mass %.

[0037] (Other unavoidable impurities) Examples of inevitable impurities other than the above-mentioned elements include Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Cr, Sc, rare earth elements, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, Ni, W, Mn, Re, Ru, Sr, Ti, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Pb, Pd, Pt, Au, Zn, Zr, Hf, Hg, Ga, In, Ge, Y, Tl, N, Si, Sn, Li, etc. These inevitable impurities may be contained to the extent that they do not affect the characteristics. Here, since these unavoidable impurities may reduce the electrical conductivity, the total amount is preferably 0.1 mass% or less, more preferably 0.05 mass% or less, even more preferably 0.03 mass% or less, and even more preferably 0.01 mass% or less. The upper limit of the content of each of these inevitable impurities is preferably 10 massppm or less, more preferably 5 massppm or less, and even more preferably 2 massppm or less.

[0038] (Average value of orientation density in the range of φ2=0°, φ1=0°~20°, Φ=35°~55°) Euler angles represent crystal orientation based on the relationship between the sample coordinate system and the crystal axes of individual crystal grains. Crystal orientation is expressed by rotating the (XYZ) axes (φ1, Φ, φ2) around each of the (ZXZ) axes from a state where the crystal axes (XYZ) are aligned. Displaying the ODF (crystal orientation distribution function) in three-dimensional Euler space using a series expansion method makes it possible to confirm the distribution of crystal orientation density in the measurement range. This orientation density distribution is set to 1, which corresponds to a completely random orientation state obtained in a standard powder sample. For example, if the orientation density of a certain orientation is 3, it means that that orientation is present three times as frequently as random orientations.

[0039] When expressed in terms of Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), crystal orientations in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and Φ = 35° to 55° are recrystallized structures formed by a combination of specific heat treatments and processing, and tend to be less prone to strain localization compared to other crystal orientations. Therefore, when the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and Φ = 35° to 55° is increased when expressed in terms of Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), recovery and recrystallization due to dislocation movement are less likely to occur, improving the heat resistance of copper materials. Therefore, by setting the average orientation density to 1.3 or more, sufficiently high heat resistance can be obtained. On the other hand, by setting the average orientation density to less than 20.0, it is possible to obtain a certain level of strength while maintaining heat resistance, thereby improving handling during manufacturing. For these reasons, in this embodiment, the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, and φ=35° to 55° is set to be in the range of 1.3 or more and less than 20.0.

[0040] Here, the lower limit of the average orientation density is preferably 1.6 or more, more preferably 2.0 or more, even more preferably 2.5 or more, and most preferably 3.0 or more, while the upper limit of the average orientation density is more preferably 18 or less, even more preferably 15 or less. In addition, when thick and thin sections exist and the material structure is different, as in the case of a deformed strip, the orientation density in the ranges of φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, and φ=35° to 55° when expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2) shall be within the above ranges for both the thick and thin sections.

[0041] (Percentage of crystals with a crystal orientation within 10° of the S orientation {123}〈634〉) The S orientation {123}〈634〉 is a typical rolling texture of copper. However, compared to other orientations, strain tends to be localized in this orientation. Therefore, as the proportion of S orientation increases, recovery due to dislocation movement is more likely to occur, resulting in a deterioration of the heat resistance of the copper material. From the above, in this embodiment, the S orientation {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals with a crystal orientation within 10° of the above is set to 10% or less.

[0042] Here, S direction {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals having a crystal orientation within 10° to the above is preferably 8% or less, more preferably 6% or less, and even more preferably 4% or less. Although there is no particular lower limit, when the shape is formed by rolling, the content is generally 0.1% or more. In addition, when thick and thin sections exist and the material structure is different, such as in a deformed strip, the S orientation {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals having a crystal orientation within 10° of the above shall be within the above range in both the thick and thin portions.

[0043] (conductivity) The copper alloy of this embodiment has an electrical conductivity of 97.0% IACS or more. By making the electrical conductivity 97.0% IACS or more, heat generation during electrical conduction is suppressed, and the copper alloy can be favorably used as a substitute for pure copper material in electronic and electrical device parts such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation members. Here, the conductivity is preferably 97.5% IACS or higher, more preferably 98.0% IACS or higher, even more preferably 98.5% IACS or higher, and even more preferably 99.0% IACS or higher. In the case where thick and thin portions exist and the material structure is different, as in the case of a multi-gauge strip, the conductivity of both the thick and thin portions is set within the above range.

[0044] (Heat-resistant temperature) In the copper alloy of this embodiment, if the heat resistance temperature is high, it is more suitable for use in a high-temperature environment. Therefore, in the copper alloy of this embodiment, the heat resistance temperature is preferably 260° C. or higher. Here, the heat-resistant temperature is more preferably 280°C or higher, even more preferably 300°C or higher, and most preferably 320°C or higher. In addition, when thick and thin portions exist and the material structure is different, as in the case of a deformed strip, the heat resistance temperature of both the thick and thin portions shall be within the above range.

[0045] Next, the method for producing the copper alloy according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.

[0046] (Melting and casting process S01) First, the copper raw material is melted, and the above-mentioned elements are added to the resulting molten copper to adjust the composition, producing a molten copper alloy. The various elements can be added as simple elements or master alloys. Raw materials containing the above-mentioned elements may also be melted together with the copper raw material. Recycled or scrap materials of the alloy may also be used. Here, the copper raw material is preferably so-called 4NCu, which has a purity of 99.99 mass% or more, or so-called 5NCu, which has a purity of 99.999 mass% or more. During melting, in order to suppress oxidation of Mg and reduce the hydrogen concentration, it is preferable to perform atmospheric melting in an inert gas atmosphere (e.g., Ar gas) with a low vapor pressure of HO, and to keep the holding time during melting to a minimum. The molten copper alloy with the adjusted composition is then poured into a mold to produce an ingot. When mass production is taken into consideration, it is preferable to use a continuous casting method or a semi-continuous casting method.

[0047] (Homogenization / solution treatment step S02) Next, the resulting ingot is subjected to a heat treatment for homogenization and solution treatment. The ingot may contain intermetallic compounds, primarily composed of Cu and Mg, that are formed as a result of Mg segregation and concentration during solidification. To eliminate or reduce these segregations and intermetallic compounds, the ingot is heated to a temperature of 300°C to 1080°C, thereby diffusing Mg homogeneously within the ingot and dissolving it in the matrix. This homogenization / solution treatment step S02 is preferably performed in a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere.

[0048] If the heating temperature is below 300°C, the solution treatment will be incomplete, and there is a risk that a large amount of intermetallic compounds, primarily composed of Cu and Mg, will remain in the matrix. On the other hand, if the heating temperature exceeds 1080°C, part of the copper material will become liquid, and there is a risk that the structure and surface condition will become non-uniform. Therefore, the heating temperature is set in the range of 300°C to 1080°C. In order to improve the efficiency of the rough rolling and to homogenize the structure, which will be described later, hot working may be performed after the homogenization / solution treatment step S02. In this case, the working method is not particularly limited, and for example, rolling, drawing, extrusion, groove rolling, forging, pressing, etc. can be used. In addition, the hot working temperature is preferably in the range of 300°C or higher and 1080°C or lower.

[0049] (Rough machining process S03) Rough processing is performed to process the material into a predetermined shape. The temperature conditions in this rough processing step S03 are not particularly limited, but in order to suppress recrystallization or improve dimensional accuracy, cold or warm rolling is preferably performed at a temperature in the range of -200°C to 200°C, with room temperature being particularly preferred. The processing rate is preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more. The processing method is not particularly limited, and examples of methods that can be used include rolling, drawing, extrusion, groove rolling, forging, and pressing. The rough processing step S03 and the intermediate heat treatment step S04 described below may be repeatedly performed.

[0050] (Intermediate heat treatment process S04) After the rough processing step S03, heat treatment is carried out to soften the material to improve workability or to create a recrystallized structure. In this case, a short-time heat treatment in a continuous annealing furnace is preferable, and when Ag is added, localized segregation of Ag at grain boundaries can be prevented. The conditions for this heat treatment are not particularly limited, but it is generally carried out in the range of 200°C to 1000°C.

[0051] (Mechanical surface treatment process S05) After the intermediate heat treatment step S04, a mechanical surface treatment is performed. The mechanical surface treatment is a process that applies compressive stress to the surface vicinity, and by combining it with the upper pre-heat treatment step S07 described below, the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and φ = 35° to 55°, when expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), increases, and the S orientation decreases, thereby improving heat resistance. Mechanical surface treatment can be performed using a variety of commonly used methods, such as shot peening, blasting, lapping, polishing, buffing, grinder polishing, sandpaper polishing, tension leveler treatment, and light rolling with a low reduction per pass (a reduction per pass of 1 to 10%, repeated three or more times).

[0052] (Deformed Shape Rolling S06) When a copper alloy sheet with a modified cross section in which thick portions and thin portions are arranged in the width direction is desired, a modified rolling process S06 may be carried out. In the deformed rolling process, the material of S05 after the mechanical surface treatment is subjected to deformed rolling in cold using a flat die having an uneven surface and a rolling roll which faces the forming surface of the die and moves back and forth along the forming surface, to obtain a roughly deformed cross-section copper alloy plate in which coarse thick portions and coarse thin portions are aligned in the width direction. The processing in this deformed rolling process S06 and the pre-upper heat treatment step S07 described below increase the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and φ = 35° to 55° when expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), but since the S orientation also tends to increase, it is preferable that the processing rate be in the range of 5% to 90%. Furthermore, in order to minimize the material structure between the thick and thin parts and the resulting difference in heat resistance, it is preferable that in the deformed rolling process S06, the ratio of the thickness of the thick part to the thickness of the thin part be in the range of 1.1 to 8.0.

[0053] (Pre-heat treatment process S07) Next, heat treatment is performed. In particular, when deformed rolling S06 is performed, recrystallization in deformed rolling S06 and pre-heat treatment step S07 increases the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and φ = 35° to 55° when expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), and decreases the S orientation. Here, the heat treatment temperature in the upper pre-heat treatment step S07 is preferably in the range of 250°C to 650°C, and the holding time at the heat treatment temperature is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 hours. For example, when the heat treatment temperature is 400°C, the holding time is preferably 10 hours.

[0054] (Finishing process S08) After the pre-heat treatment step S07, a finishing step S08 is performed to adjust the strength. If the finishing step S08 is not performed, the recrystallized structure will remain, resulting in significantly lower strength and making handling difficult. In addition, when a profile strip having a thick portion and a thin portion is formed by the profile rolling process S06, it is preferable to carry out cold working using rolling rolls consisting of a stepped roll and a flat roll.

[0055] Because a rolling texture is formed by this finishing processing step S08, if the processing rate is too high, the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and φ = 35° to 55°, expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), will decrease, and the S orientation will also increase. Therefore, the processing rate in the finishing process S08 is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 45% or less, and is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 8% or more.

[0056] After the finishing step S08, low-temperature annealing may be performed. Also, a leveling step using a tension leveler or the like may be added.

[0057] In this way, the copper alloy (plastically worked copper alloy material) of this embodiment is produced. The plastically worked copper alloy material produced by rolling is called a rolled copper alloy sheet. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the copper alloy (copper alloy plastically worked material) 10 of this embodiment has a thick portion 11 and a thin portion 12 which have different thicknesses in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and it is preferable that the thickness t1 of the thick portion 11 is in the range of 0.2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the thickness t2 of the thin portion 12 is in the range of 0.1 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ratio t1 / t2 of the thickness t1 of the thick portion 11 to the thickness t2 of the thin portion 12 is within the range of 1.1 or more and 8.0 or less. When the deformed rolling process S06 is not performed, the thickness of the copper alloy (plastically worked copper alloy material) 10 is preferably within the range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

[0058] In the copper alloy of this embodiment configured as described above, the Mg content is within the range of more than 10 massppm and not more than 100 massppm, the S content, which is an element that forms a compound with Mg, is 10 massppm or less, the P content is 10 massppm or less, the Se content is 5 massppm or less, the Te content is 5 massppm or less, the Sb content is 5 massppm or less, the Bi content is 5 massppm or less, the As content is 5 massppm or less, and further, the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is limited to 30 massppm or less, so that the trace amount of added Mg can be dissolved in the copper matrix, and the heat resistance temperature can be improved without significantly reducing the electrical conductivity.

[0059] Furthermore, when the content of Mg is defined as [Mg] and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is defined as [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As], the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is set within the range of 0.6 to 50, which makes it possible to sufficiently improve the heat-resistant temperature without reducing the electrical conductivity due to excessive Mg dissolving in the solid solution. Therefore, the copper alloy of this embodiment can achieve both high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance. Specifically, the electrical conductivity can be set to 97% IACS or more, ensuring high electrical conductivity.

[0060] Furthermore, in the copper alloy of the present embodiment, when the content of Ag is within the range of 5 massppm or more and 20 massppm or less, Ag segregates near the grain boundaries, and this Ag suppresses grain boundary diffusion, making it possible to further reliably improve the heat-resistant temperature.

[0061] Furthermore, in the copper alloy of this embodiment, when the heat-resistant temperature is 260° C. or higher, the heat resistance is sufficiently excellent and the alloy can be stably used even in a high-temperature environment.

[0062] The copper alloy plastically worked material of this embodiment is made of the above-mentioned copper alloy, and therefore has excellent electrical conductivity and heat resistance, and is particularly suitable as a material for electronic and electrical device components such as terminals, bus bars, lead frames, and heat dissipation substrates.

[0063] Furthermore, the copper alloy plastically worked material of this embodiment is a modified strip having thin and thick parts with different thicknesses in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, by applying the thin and thick parts to respective portions of electronic and electrical equipment components, electronic and electrical equipment components with excellent characteristics can be obtained.

[0064] Furthermore, when a metal plating layer is formed on the surface of the copper alloy plastically worked material of this embodiment, various properties can be imparted to the surface, making it particularly suitable as a material for electronic and electrical device parts such as terminals, bus bars, and heat dissipation members.

[0065] Furthermore, the electronic / electrical device components (terminals, bus bars, lead frames, heat dissipation members, etc.) of this embodiment are made of the above-mentioned copper alloy plastically processed material, and therefore can exhibit excellent properties even in large current applications and high temperature environments.

[0066] The copper alloy, the copper alloy plastically worked material, and the electronic and electrical device parts (terminals, bus bars, lead frames, etc.) according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example of a method for manufacturing a copper alloy (copper alloy plastically processed material) is described, but the method for manufacturing a copper alloy is not limited to that described in the embodiment, and an existing manufacturing method may be appropriately selected for manufacturing the copper alloy. In addition, in this embodiment, the deformed strip having the shape shown in Fig. 1 has been described as an example, but it is not limited to this, and may be a deformed strip having another cross-sectional shape, or may be a strip material with a constant thickness. Also, it may be a wire material, a rod material, etc. [Example]

[0067] The results of confirmation experiments conducted to confirm the effects of the present invention will be described below. A raw material consisting of pure copper with a purity of 99.999 mass% or more was placed in a high-purity graphite crucible by the zone melting refining method, and was then high-frequency melted in an atmospheric furnace with an Ar gas atmosphere. The obtained molten copper was mixed with 0.1 mass% of various master alloys made from high-purity copper of 6N (purity 99.9999 mass%) or higher and pure metals with a purity of 2N (purity 99 mass%) or higher to adjust the composition shown in Tables 1 and 2, and poured into a mold made of insulating material (isowool) to produce an ingot. The size of the ingot was approximately 30 mm thick x 60 mm wide x 150 to 200 mm long.

[0068] The obtained ingots were heated for 1 hour under various temperature conditions in an Ar gas atmosphere, the surface was ground to remove the oxide film, and then cut to a predetermined size. The thickness was then adjusted appropriately to the final thickness and cut. Each cut sample was roughly rolled at room temperature at the working ratio shown in Tables 3 and 4, and then intermediate heat treatment was performed under the heat treatment conditions shown in Tables 3 and 4.

[0069] These samples were then subjected to mechanical surface treatment processes according to the methods described in Tables 3 and 4. The buffing was carried out using #1000 abrasive paper. The tension leveler is equipped with multiple φ16mm rolls, and the line tension is 100N / mm. 2 This was carried out at. Light rolling (rolling with a low reduction rate per pass) was performed with the final three passes having a reduction rate of 4% per pass.

[0070] Next, except for some samples, stepped profile processing was performed using a flat die and a rolling roll that faced the forming surface of the die and moved back and forth along the forming surface, so that the thicknesses of the thick and thin parts of the samples were the values ​​shown in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. Then, with the exception of some samples, pre-heat treatment was carried out under the conditions shown in Tables 3 and 4. Thereafter, finishing processing was carried out under the conditions shown in Tables 3 and 4, and strip materials for property evaluation with a width of approximately 60 mm and a thickness shown in Tables 5 and 6 were produced.

[0071] The obtained strip material for property evaluation was evaluated as follows.

[0072] (composition analysis) Measurement samples were taken from the resulting ingot, and Mg was measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and other elements were measured using a glow discharge mass spectrometer (GD-MS). The measurements were taken at two locations, the center and the widthwise edge of the sample, and the higher content was recorded as the content of that sample. As a result, it was confirmed that the component compositions were as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0073] (conductivity) Test pieces measuring 10 mm wide and 60 mm long were taken from the strip material for property evaluation, and electrical resistance was measured using the four-terminal method. The dimensions of the test pieces were also measured using a micrometer, and the volume of the test pieces was calculated. The electrical conductivity was then calculated from the measured electrical resistance value and volume. The test pieces were taken so that their longitudinal direction was parallel to the rolling direction of the strip material for property evaluation. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 5 and 6.

[0074] (crystal orientation) The obtained strip material for property evaluation was cut into a piece 20 mm wide x 20 mm long, and the surface perpendicular to the rolling width direction, i.e., the TD (Transverse Direction) surface, was embedded in resin as the observation surface. It was then mechanically polished using wet polishing paper and diamond abrasive grains, and then final polished using colloidal silica solution to prepare a sample for observation. Then, using a scanning electron microscope, an electron beam was irradiated onto individual measurement points (pixels) within the measurement range on the sample surface to obtain a backscattered electron diffraction pattern.The orientation density and S orientation ratio in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and φ = 35° to 55°, expressed in Euler angles (φ1, Φ, φ2), were measured using an SEM-EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction Patterns) measurement device as follows.

[0075] Boundaries between adjacent measurement points where the misorientation between them was 15° or more were considered high-angle grain boundaries. Twin boundaries were also considered high-angle grain boundaries. The measurement range was adjusted so that each sample contained more than 100 crystal grains. A grain boundary map was created using the high-angle grain boundaries from the orientation analysis results. In accordance with the JIS H 0501 cutting method, five line segments of a specified length were drawn vertically and horizontally on the grain boundary map, and the number of crystal grains that were completely cut was counted. The sum of the cutting lengths (the lengths of the line segments cut at the crystal grain boundaries) was divided by the number of crystal grains to determine the average value, i.e., the average crystal grain size.

[0076] Next, the observation surface was measured by the EBSD method at measurement intervals of less than one-tenth of the average grain size. 2 The measurement results for the above measurement area were analyzed using the data analysis software OIM to obtain the CI (Confidence Index) value for each measurement point. Except for measurement points with a CI value of 0.1 or less, the texture was analyzed using the data analysis software OIM to obtain the S-orientation ratio and crystal orientation distribution function.

[0077] The crystal orientation distribution function obtained by the analysis was expressed in Euler angles. The obtained S-orientation ratio and the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and Φ = 35° to 55° are shown in Tables 5 and 6. In Tables 5 and 6, the "ODF" column lists the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and Φ = 35° to 55°.

[0078] (Heat-resistant temperature) The heat resistance temperature was evaluated in accordance with JCBA T325:2013 of the Japan Copper and Brass Association, by obtaining an isochronous softening curve based on Vickers hardness after one hour of heat treatment and determining the heating temperature at which the hardness reached 80% of the hardness before heat treatment. The Vickers hardness was measured on the rolled surface. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 5 and 6.

[0079] [Table 1]

[0080] [Table 2]

[0081] [Table 3]

[0082] [Table 4]

[0083] [Table 5]

[0084] [Table 6]

[0085] In Comparative Example 1, the Mg content was lower than the range of the present invention, and therefore the heat-resistant temperature was low and the heat resistance was insufficient. In Comparative Example 2, the Mg content exceeded the range of the present invention, resulting in low electrical conductivity. In Comparative Example 3, the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As exceeded 30 mass ppm, and the heat resistance temperature was low and the heat resistance was insufficient. In Comparative Example 4, the mass ratio [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] was less than 0.6, and the heat resistance temperature was low and the heat resistance was insufficient.

[0086] In Comparative Example 5, the average orientation density in the ranges of φ2=0°, φ1=0° to 20°, and φ=35° to 55° was less than 1.3, the heat resistance temperature was low, and the heat resistance was insufficient. Comparative Example 6 is S orientation {123} <634> The area ratio of crystals having a crystal orientation within 10° of the above was more than 10%, and the heat resistance temperature was low and the heat resistance was insufficient.

[0087] In contrast, it was confirmed that in Examples 1 to 24 of the present invention, the electrical conductivity and heat resistance were improved in a well-balanced manner. From the above, it was confirmed that the present invention can provide a copper alloy having high electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance.

Claims

1. The Mg content is in the range of more than 10 ppm by mass and not more than 100 ppm by mass, with the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities, and among the inevitable impurities, the S content is 10 ppm by mass or less, the P content is 10 ppm by mass or less, the Se content is 5 ppm by mass or less, the Te content is 5 ppm by mass or less, the Sb content is 5 ppm by mass or less, the Bi content is 5 ppm by mass or less, and the As content is 5 ppm by mass or less, and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is 30 ppm by mass or less, When the content of Mg is [Mg] and the total content of S, P, Se, Te, Sb, Bi, and As is [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As], the mass ratio thereof [Mg] / [S+P+Se+Te+Sb+Bi+As] is within the range of 0.6 or more and 50 or less, The conductivity is 97% IACS or more, When the crystal orientation distribution function obtained from the texture analysis by the EBSD method is expressed in terms of Euler angles, the average value of the orientation density in the ranges of φ2 = 0°, φ1 = 0° to 20°, and Φ = 35° to 55° is 1.3 or more and less than 20.0, A copper alloy characterized in that the area ratio of crystals having a crystal orientation within 10° of the S orientation {123}<634> is 10% or less.

2. 2. The copper alloy according to claim 1, wherein the Ag content is in the range of 5 ppm by mass to 20 ppm by mass.

3. 3. The copper alloy according to claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant temperature is 260° C. or higher.

4. A plastically worked copper alloy material comprising the copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 5. The copper alloy plastically worked material according to claim 4, which is a deformed strip.

6. 6. The plastically worked copper alloy material according to claim 4, wherein the surface has a metal plating layer.

7. A component for electronic or electrical equipment, comprising the plastically worked copper alloy material according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. A terminal made of the plastically worked copper alloy material according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

9. A bus bar comprising the copper alloy plastically worked material according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

10. A lead frame comprising the plastically worked copper alloy material according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

11. A heat dissipation substrate comprising the copper alloy plastically worked material according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for manufacturing deformed steel bar and lead frame

    JP2003136103A

  • Copper rolled sheet and component for electronic and electrical device

    JP2016056414A

  • Rolled copper sheet, and component for electronic and electric apparatus

    JP2020128598A

  • Copper alloy, copper alloy plastic working material, electronic / electrical device component, terminal, busbar, heat-dissipating board

    WO2021107102A1